Sri Lanka’s itsy bitsy bodybuilder turns heads

by malinga
July 28, 2024 1:09 am 0 comment 1.9K views

By Allaam Ousman
Dilrukshi Salman Arachchige with her medals

Dilru made her own rules physically, mentally and medically to conquer challenges in a competitive world that offers very little or no margin for error giving confidence to all women:

Dilrukshi Salman Arachchige, a Sri Lankan bodybuilding athlete based in the USA, has faced and conquered numerous challenges in her life. Losing her father just minutes after the birth of her son Austin in America, Dilrukshi went into depression exacerbated by a thyroid diagnosis.

Despite setbacks, Dilrukshi has risen to prominence in the sport, gaining international acclaim in the Bikini category competing in IFBB (International Federation of Bodybuilding and Fitness) Professional League and Amateur Olympia contests.

Standing at 5 feet 2 inches, she has participated in over 30 major shows since her debut in 2016, often placing among the top five and winning five overall titles. This is her remarkable story.

On January 6, 2014, Dilrukshi experienced profound tragedy. Just three minutes after the birth of her son Austin, her father was tragically killed by a drunk driver in Sri Lanka.

“When I had my son, I became very sick. On the same day my son was born, my dad passed away here in Sri Lanka. He was hit by a drunk driver when he was parked on the side of the road while going to church. The drunk driver had fallen asleep at the wheel,” she recalled wistfully of that fateful day in her life.

This devastating event plunged her into a deep depression, compounded by a diagnosis of a thyroid storm.

“My dad was hospitalized and I couldn’t come home to see him because I just had my baby. My dad and I were very close; we talked every day. His loss hit me hard. I struggled to get out of bed and cope with both the loss of my dad and the challenges of motherhood,” she recalled.

“My thyroid condition worsened. I was in such a bad shape that I ended up being hospitalised. The doctors told me they needed to remove my thyroid, but I was determined to find alternatives”.

Determined to heal naturally, Dilrukshi overhauled her diet, lifestyle and workout regimen eventually overcoming her condition without surgery.

“I went home and did extensive research on how to support thyroid health. I learned about the right foods and made changes to my diet, as well as my lotions, hair products, and even toothpaste. I committed to serious workouts and overhauled every aspect of my lifestyle. It took two years, but I eventually healed my thyroid through these changes and got back to normal,” she explained.

Dilrukshi grew up in Colombo and attended Sri Siddhartha Kumara Maha Vidyalaya, Gampaha where she took part in athletics and played volleyball.

The second of six siblings, it was her elder brother Keerthi, winner of Mr. Sri Lanka in 2000, who introduced her to the world of bodybuilding.

“None of my other family members were involved in competitive bodybuilding; they all worked out normally. I initially wanted to become a lawyer, so I studied political science, logic and computer science before moving to the USA,” said Dilrukshi.

Dilrukshi moved to the USA in 2003, where she attended the University of Georgia, earning degrees in Business Administration and English. After moving to Florida, she transitioned from her previous job to become a bodybuilding coach and a certified nutritionist in Florida while her son Austin plays baseball which binds the two in sports.

Dilrukshi with her baseball-playing son Austin

Dilrukshi with her baseball-playing son Austin

Dilrukshi’s foray into competitive bodybuilding began in 2016 when she entered her first competition in the Bikini category while she was working out at the gym when someone suggested she should compete.

She gave it a try and entered her first competition in 2016 and won that spurred her on to compete in Canada, India, Ireland, England and the USA.

She takes immense pride representing Sri Lanka on the global stage. “Being Sri Lankan, competing at this level was a challenge, but I think it’s all about mentality. I’m not afraid of competition; I enjoy it. I prefer to compete in big shows rather than smaller ones. Smaller shows are easier to win, but I want to challenge myself against quality athletes,” she contends.

“For me, competing with top-level competitors is essential to improving. By facing tougher opponents, I push myself to get better and prepare for higher levels of competition”.

What started as a passion has become a serious business for her. “When I started (bodybuilding), my goal was to pursue something I enjoy and am passionate about. Bodybuilding became my hobby and I love both working out and competing. I have an athlete’s mindset, which I’ve had since I was young.

“I always aim to win and after each victory I set my sights on competing in bigger shows. It’s about putting in more work and continually improving to achieve success at higher levels,” she says.

Currently Dilrukshi is focussing on winning the IFBB Pro Card after competing in Amateur Olympia events in Las Vegas and Orlando over the past five years.

In all these competitions she was placed in the top ranks and her highest placement was winning silver in the Open class B which she achieved last year and a bronze medal in the 35 plus category.

Her approach to bodybuilding emphasizes health and natural success. She advocates for women to understand their bodies and nutrition and to avoid drugs. Her significant Instagram following under her signature name ‘Dilru_fit_life’ helps her spread this message, encouraging women to build self-esteem and maintain a healthy lifestyle.

“I want to guide them on how to stay healthy and confident. I choose the Bikini category because it suits my body type best. I’m at around 110 pounds during competitions where contestants are grouped according to height.

“Right now, my goal is to help women understand their bodies and nutrition, not just for themselves but also for their families. I want to guide them on how to stay healthy and confident. Many women struggle with self-esteem and often criticise themselves for not looking good or feeling pretty and I aim to change that.

“Prioritise your health and approach bodybuilding the right way. First and foremost, be healthy and work with a good coach. Avoid drugs – you can succeed naturally with the right nutrition and workouts. A good coach is crucial because a bad one can harm your health and derail your progress. Ensure your coach knows what they’re doing to guide you effectively”, said Dilrukshi who does not resemble the stereotypical image of a muscular bodybuilder.

“Maintaining an extremely lean physique all the time is challenging and not healthy. Having no body fat isn’t good for your brain or overall health; you need some fat for proper functioning. Many of the pictures people post are from when they’re at their leanest, preparing for competition. They’re not reflective of everyday life. I have similar pictures from my competition prep, but I don’t stay at that level of leanness year-round.

“I prefer to look like a woman and only focus on being lean and muscular when I’m competing. The rest of the time, I want to return to a more normal look. I’m currently in my off-season and have been taking this whole year off because I’m in Sri Lanka. I plan to start my preparation again next year,” says Dilrukshi.

Dilrikshi says she will recommend bodybuilding to anyone not necessarily to compete but to be healthy, eat the right foods, drink plenty of water and take care of one’s body.

“Your body is the only thing you can’t leave behind – it’s your temple. If you don’t take care of it, what’s the point? You can’t escape your body; it’s essential to maintain it. There’s also a misconception about needing supplements. I get my protein from whole foods like chicken, eggs, beef and rice.

“It is important to eat the right amount of rice – not huge plates of it – to maintain good health. I think this message is crucial because there’s a lot of misconception about supplements. People often think they need every supplement out there, like BCAAs (Branched-chain amino acids) or pre-workouts, but that’s not true. I only drink coffee before workouts and rely on whole foods for my nutrition. I keep it simple with just a few essentials like fish oil, collagen, D3 and a multivitamin.

“A lot of girls are afraid to lift heavy weights, but if you want to build muscle, you need to lift heavy, not just tiny weights. I’ve been working out for 15 years, and even though I’m not a huge bodybuilder, I’ve developed a lot of muscle. It’s not possible to get excessively big from lifting weights alone, but you can build a great physique and look impressive. It’s all about mindset and understanding what’s achievable,” she points out.

She has no qualms about flexing herself in a bikini in competitions. “It’s not just about wearing a bikini; it’s about the hard work and dedication that goes into building a physique. You can’t achieve a great body without putting in the effort. The focus should be on the art of bodybuilding, not just the bikini.

“When people look at bikini competitors, they should appreciate the muscles and the work behind them, not just the bikini. It’s about the physique and the dedication, not just the appearance,” she contends.

According to Dilrukshi, bikini competitions are like beauty pageants, not solely about having muscle but about having the right shape – an ‘hourglass’ figure with the right balance of muscle. “The whole package matters: hair, makeup, skin tone, and overall presentation. It’s like a global beauty pageant of fitness,” she summed up.

Her journey from a remote school in Sri Lanka to the international bodybuilding stage is a testament to her resilience and determination. Overcoming personal tragedy and health challenges, she has positioned herself as a leading figure in women’s bodybuilding. Her story could inspire many, highlighting the importance of mental strength, dedication and a healthy lifestyle.

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