The Sri Lanka Air Force Bodybuilding Pool gold medal winners: (from left) S. D. D. Jayasinghe, Light Fly Weight; R. L. C. Fonseka, Welter Weight; K. S. Nandan, Fly Weight; D. C. D. Dissanayake, Light Heavyweight; W. M. Suneth (centre), Light Weight and Overall Champion; S. L. Sisira Kumara, Middle Weight; W. N. S. Livera, Bantam Weight; W. D. R. S. Silva, Light Weight (bronze medal); W. S. S. Priyakostha, Junior Mr. Sri Lanka (under 21 years). Pic: Sri Lanka Air Force

The Sri Lanka Air Force Bodybuilding Pool is hardly two months old and it is already flying high – making a clean sweep (almost) of golds at its debut public appearance, and generally wowing the local bodybuilding scene with an awesome display of collective muscle.

The airmen stole the show at the recent 55th National Bodybuilding Championships, held at the Trinity College Hall, Kandy, bagging eight out of nine gold medals, as well as picking up a silver and a bronze.
Thanks to a group of enthusiastic, sporty-minded officers, inspired by Air Chief Marshal Roshan Goonetilake, a famed sportsman himself, the SLAF is making a bodybuilding comeback after a break of more than 20 years.

“We were out of the picture for a long time, largely because of the war, and now we are back, largely to encourage young sportsmen in need of support,” said Wing Commander Senaka Fernandopulle, president of the SLAF Bodybuilding Pool. “We hope this way to promote bodybuilding in the country and also within the Air Force.

“We had fallen behind. The Army and the Navy have been maintaining a presence in the bodybuilding scene, despite the war, but we had kind of dropped out. It was time to get back in. We also have to thank Mr. Jeffrey Schucroft, president of the Sri Lanka Bodybuilding and Fitness Federation. He has played a big role in getting us back on track.”

Ripped and cut: W. S. S. Priyakostha, Junior Mr. Sri Lanka (under 21 years)

Three months ago, Wing Commander Fernandopulle started thinking seriously about reviving bodybuilding in the force, following discussions with Squadron Leader Viranga Premawardena, Flight Lieutenant Jude Kuruvitaarachchi, and Flight Sergeant Janaka Perera. Flight Sergeant Perera was familiar with the local bodybuilding scene, and with the young bodybuilder’s biggest headache – finding a sponsor to cover the cost of buying essential nutrition supplements, the bodybuilder’s next most vital need after finding a gym and a good coach.

For competition purposes, a bodybuilder needs at least Rs. 10,000 a month in food supplements. The average Sri Lankan bodybuilder cannot afford this extra expense. Many earn Rs. 10,000 or less in their regular jobs.

After an island wide talent scout, the four SLAF officers identified 20 athletes they felt would benefit from SLAF sponsorship. The chosen athletes had no hesitation signing on, knowing their sports needs would now be taken care of. That they would be officially airmen, entitled to wear a uniform, was an added attraction.

The benefits are considerable.

“On top of receiving an airman’s salary, the bodybuilder recruits will be given all their requirements, from nutrition to equipment,” Wing Commander Fernandopulle said. “They will also get a sports education. We will arrange to give them classes in health and nutrition, and other aspects of sports medicine. And we’ll help them work on their presentation techniques, grooming them in posing routines, using films and videos.”

The bodybuilders are free to continue training under their own coaches if they wish, but they are expected to report for training at least two days a week at the Air Force gym closest to their hometown or village. The majority of the 20 recruits train at the big Air Force gym in Ekala.

The 20 recruits are also representative of the country.

“The bodybuilders hail from different parts of the island – Negombo, Kandy, Kurunegala – and they include Sinhala, Tamil and Muslim sportsmen,” said Squadron Leader Premawardena. “Many come from low-income backgrounds. This opportunity to be a part of the Air Force is a breakthrough in their sports careers.”

Starting out as airmen, the athletes can also expect to rise up the ranks within the Air Force. “They are entitled to promotions, based on their performance,” Wing Commander Fernandopulle said.
The arrival of a contingent of 20 full-fledged bodybuilders – ripped and raring to flex – is expected to have a ripple effect within the force.

“We think this is good for our own men,” said Flight Lieutenant Kuruvitaarachchi. “Seeing these bodybuilders is going to encourage them to think about fitness and their personal image.

“We hope to start inter-unit bodybuilding meets in about two years, just as the Army and the Navy do. We expect a good response. These bodybuilders are young and they look great, and they are sure to have a good impact on the force.”