Wasantha Soysa was a Karate champion and a Guinness record holder who has approximately twelve world records,[1] including breaking twelve slabs of concrete in one blow with his head, and breaking 522 clay tiles.[2][3] His nickname was the 'Rajarata Iron Man'.
| Wasantha Soysa | |
|---|---|
| Born | Alexander Wasantha Wikrama de Soysa Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka |
| Died | 24 October 2015 Anuradhapura, Sri Lanka |
| Style | Karate |
Soysa was born in Sri Lanka and later became the owner of a night club in Anuradhapura.[4] On 24 October 2015, he was murdered at his own night club by an underworld gang.[5]
Early life edit
Soysa was born in Anuradhapura as Alexander Wasantha Wikrama de Soysa. His father, Alfred de Soysa, was a businessman who was executed in 1972 after being found guilty in the notorious Kelettewa murder case in 1960s.[6]
Soysa completed his education at St. Joseph's College and began to learn martial arts in 1974 under renowned karate instructor D.A. Welgama.
After becoming a successful figure in his field, Soysa made his first Guinness record in 1998 by breaking 525 tiles against his body.[7] On 23 August 2009 he broke a Guinness world record by breaking 12 concrete blocks in one blow with his head,[8] the previous record having been held by a Norwegian national, Narve Laeret, who had broken 7 concrete blocks in 2008.[9]
Death edit
On 24 October 2015, Wasantha Soysa and three other employees were attacked at Soysa's own night club in Kadapanaha area, Anuradhapura by a group of about 25 individuals. He was admitted to hospital with serious injuries, but died the same day.[10] He was 57 years old.[11]
References edit
- ^ Steve (4 October 2017). "Wasantha Soysa". Information about Sri Lanka. Retrieved 15 September 2021.
- ^ "'Ninja style' murder of karate champion - Guinness book record holder stabbed". Ceylon Today. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ adaderana (24 August 2009), Head strong Lankan claims record, retrieved 18 April 2017
- ^ Jeyaraj, D. B. S. (26 October 2015). "Karate Champion and Guinness Record Holder Wasantha Soysa alias 'Rajarata Iron man' Hacked to Death in his own Night Club in Anuradhapura". dbsjeyaraj.com. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ "SF Loku arrested". The Daily Mirror (Sri Lanka). 1 November 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "The party that turned into a murder spree". The Sunday Times (Sri Lanka). 1 November 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "Iron man turns world class hero". Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka). 7 March 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "Most concrete blocks broken in a single stack with the head". www.guinnessworldrecords.com. 23 August 2009. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ Kuruneru, Percy. "Lankan sets World Record". The Island. Retrieved 18 April 2017.
- ^ "Eight Individuals Arrested For Anuradhapura Night Club Attack". www.asianmirror.lk. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2017.
- ^ "Suspects in killing anuradhapura night club owner identified". www.hirunews.lk. 26 October 2015. Retrieved 2 May 2017.