Madhushi Amarasinghe’s journey from a young girl battling health challenges to becoming one of Sri Lanka’s top female bodybuilders is a story of resilience and determination. Initially aspiring to become a lawyer, Madhushi’s path shifted dramatically after she was diagnosed with a thyroid condition that caused significant weight gain and other health issues. Undeterred, she turned to bodybuilding as a means to regain control of her life and discovered a passion that would define her future.
Now, with a bronze medal from the 56th Asian Bodybuilding and Sports Physique Championship and dreams of winning gold on the world stage, Madhushi is on a mission to make history and inspire a new generation of Sri Lankan women to break barriers in the sport. From her humble beginnings at Ananda National School in Chilaw with dreams of becoming a lawyer, Madhushi’s path took an unexpected turn, one that would lead her to become a physical fitness trainer and a national bodybuilding star. “I played volleyball and netball at the provincial level,” she says, “but I had wheezing issues, so my parents didn’t allow me to pursue sports seriously.
” Despite having no real goals in sports, Madhushi, the second of three siblings secretly participated in competitions. “I used to win certificates and medals,” she chuckles, “but of course, I got scolded at home.” Her dreams of becoming a lawyer seemed within reach until she was diagnosed with a thyroid condition.
“My thyroid gland produces less hormones,” she explains. “I used to take thyroid tablets every morning, but I gained weight excessively and faced other health issues, like hair loss.” Determined not to let her health define her, Madhushi took a bold step.
“I started going to the gym,” she shares. However, her early experiences were frustrating. “I didn’t know anything.
Everyone gave me different advice – ‘do this’, ‘do that’ – it became an annoyance. So I decided I had to learn about bodybuilding and undergo the transformation myself.” Balancing her new passion with academic aspirations proved too challenging.
“I did NVQ Level 4 but while doing this I had to give up on studying to become a lawyer. I couldn’t handle both, especially with my health condition,” she admits. Yet, this setback only redirected her focus.
Then, she got an opportunity to work at Step Up Gym in Rathanayapitiya, Boralesgamuwa. Last year, Madhushi made a significant stride in her bodybuilding journey by participating in the 55th Asian Bodybuilding Meet, where she was placed fourth in the Women’s Athletic Physique (over 165 cm) category. She owes this feat to her mentor Janaka Samarasinghe.
“I told him that I loved the changes happening in my body and that I wanted to compete. At first, he didn’t approve, saying there was time, but then he started WBPF (World Bodybuilding and Physique Sports Federation) in Sri Lanka and encouraged me to take part in this tournament. He promised to support and coach me and that’s when I started training properly for competitions.
” Her journey has not been without its challenges. “I still have my thyroid condition. My thyroid gland swells, and it’s challenging to lose fat and get the body definition needed for competitions,” Madhushi reveals.
“It has taken years of training on my own initiative and hard work to achieve my present physique. A normal athlete with my kind of training would have already achieved a gold medal at international level, but my health condition makes my progress slow.” Despite these obstacles, Madhushi remains unwavering in her pursuit.
“My goal is to win a gold for Sri Lanka in a world tournament, and I’m confident, even if it takes three or four years,” says Madushi, 34, and posing majestically at 167 cm. She started going to the gym just seven years ago, has been a trainer for the past six years latterly at High Octane and Evolution gyms, and is also following a Higher Diploma course in Sports Science. Her decision to focus on bodybuilding over a traditional education was deliberate.
“I was selected to go to university but didn’t want to because I don’t have faith in the education system in Sri Lanka. My peers with degrees earn less than half of what I make. I have no regrets and feel I made the right decision,” she states.
Madhushi’s commitment to her sport is evident in her daily routine. “My life is bodybuilding, full-time,” she says. “If I change my routine for a day because of a funeral or a party, it’s difficult for me to work the next day.
That’s why I sacrifice attending events.” Her advice to young girls aspiring to achieve their goals is simple: “If you have an ambition or goal, you must sacrifice to achieve it, sweating day and night. At first, people will laugh and even scold you, but when you achieve your goal, those same people will cheer for you.
Even then, don’t focus on who’s clapping. Keep moving toward your next step.” Madhushi’s journey is a testament to hard work and perseverance.
“Talent and genetics are essential, but hard work is everything,” she believes. “In my case, only my body structure is good; the rest is not in my genetics. I’ve achieved this position purely because of hard work, despite my thyroid and other health complications.
” While she has faced financial challenges, the support of her gym clients and well-wishers has been invaluable. “Many of my gym clients have helped me, especially for things like air tickets and admission fees for tournaments. Although I develop my body, raising funds is difficult.
I’ll continue until I achieve history for Sri Lanka, winning a gold medal. It might take two or three years, but I won’t stop until I achieve it.” Her gratitude extends deeply to her coach Samarasinghe, whom she calls her “pillar of strength.
” “Even my parents don’t fully understand what I’m trying to achieve in bodybuilding,” she says. Reflecting on the disputes between governing bodies for the sport in Sri Lanka, Madhushi expresses her disappointment. “It saddens me that I couldn’t participate in meets earlier because there was no future for women in the sport.
Some women’s lives were exploited or destroyed. But I want a beautiful future and I want to show the path for other girls to come forward in this sport.” In her pursuit of excellence, Madhushi chose to align with the WBPF, a decision she stands by firmly.
“They protect athletes like a family. There’s a strong sense of solidarity and when we go to other countries, we’re recognised and connected. No Sri Lankan girl has received that recognition before.
Even if the IFBB (International Fitness and Bodybuilding Federation) is considered the governing body in Sri Lanka, it doesn’t matter because we’re still representing our country proudly under one flag.” As she continues her journey, Madhushi remains focused on her ultimate goal: to win gold for Sri Lanka and to pave the way for future generations of female bodybuilders. “I want to create history in women’s bodybuilding in Sri Lanka.
If I don’t do it, there’s no one else in Sri Lanka in women’s bodybuilding. I’ll keep going, no matter how long it takes.”.
