Lucion Pushparaj

Lucion Anton Pushparaj, (born September 10, 1982) also spelled Lucian Pushparaj, nicknamed Black Lion of Asia, is a Sri Lankan male IFBB professional bodybuilder. On 16 December 2018, he became the first Sri Lankan to win the WBPF World Championship title, and was crowned WBPF Mr. Universe.

He is also the first Sri Lankan Bodybuilder to participate in the IFBB Pro Arnold Classic Amateur, where he came in 4th place.

Early life Pushparaj was born on September 10, 1982, in Ja-Ela. He received his primary education from St. Xavier Maha Vidyalaya, and his secondary education from Basilica College, Ragama. In school, Pushparaj was an active athlete, taking part in athletics, volleyball, cricket, winning at the all-island level.

Subsequently, he became a fitness instructor at various gyms and tried his hand at Pro bodybuilding. Despite the difficulties and discrimination he faced, he managed to fund himself, train and compete. In 2014, He also participated in the US-based Mr. and Mrs. Atlas and Fitness Expo Contest, becoming the first Sri Lankan to do so, and placed fourth

2016-2018 In 2016, Pushparaj placed first in the Open Weightlifting Championship in Oman (Under 100 kg), and later took third place at the Wawan Classic Expo International Bodybuilding Championship 2016 in Kuwait.

In 2017, he won a gold medal in the 51st Asian Bodybuilding and Physiques Sports Festival in South Korea, and was titled Mr Asia. Following his 2017 win in Thailand, Pushparaj received a house and a sum of Rs. 1 million, by the Housing and Constructing Minister at the time, Sajith Premadasa.

In 2018, he then went on to secure a silver medal at the IFBB Austrian International Bodybuilding Championship, held on 19 May 2018.

Pushparaj was named World Champion in the over 100 kg category at the 10th World Bodybuilding Championship held in Bangkok, Thailand on 16 December 2018, where he was also titled Mr Universe.

2020-Present In May 2020, Pushparaj participated in the Super Heavyweight division at the Arnold Amateur competition and placed fourth overall.

Issues with Local IFBB Elite Pro & SLBF Corruption Pushparaj faced several issues with the local Sri Lankan Bodybuilding Federation (SLBF). Arguably, this was due to a conflict with the SLBF over his criticism of the body's support of the IFBB Elite Pro.

Pushparaj accused the IFBB Elite Pro of being a corrupt body, especially in Sri Lanka. As a result, the SLBF withdrew their sponsorship funding from his events, leading Pushparaj to cover his own flight tickets and other associated costs, despite his previous successes. There was no official welcome when he arrived in Sri Lanka after winning the WBPF in 2017.

Pushpraj claims that the SLBF attempted to have him banned by contacting the Global Bodybuilding Organization, which organized the 2017 Mr Atlas competition in Los Angeles, which is the reason why his VISA was initially rejected.

SLBF then accused Pushparaj of using banned substances. He denied the allegations and accused the federation of attempting to tarnish his image and prevent him from taking part in international events representing Sri Lanka. Despite these challenges, Pushparaj continues to represent Sri Lanka internationally, by super-ceding the SLBF and being represented by the globally ranked WBPF.

Contest history 2012 - Earned IFBB pro card 2013 - 1st (Gold) - IFBB Pro Championship in Oman 2014 - 1st (Gold) - Mr. Sri Lanka Contest 2014 - 2nd (Silver) - AFBF 48th Asian Championship (IFBB) (100 KG Category) 2014 - 4th Place - Mr & Mrs Atlas and Fitness Expo Contest 2014 - 1st (Gold) - Open Weightlifting Championship in Oman (Under 100 kg) 2016 - 3rd (Bronze) - Wawan Classic Expo International Bodybuilding Championship 2016, held in Kuwait. 2017 - 1st (Gold) Mr Asia Overall Champion - 51st Asian Bodybuilding and Physiques Sports Festival in South Korea 2018 - 2nd (Silver) - IFBB Austrian International Bodybuilding Championship 2018 - 1st (World champion- Mr Universe) - 10th WBPF World Championship (100 kg+ category), in Bangkok, Thailand 2020 - 4th Place - IFBB Pro Arnold Classic Amateur - Super Heavyweight Division

Awards 2019 - Popular Sports Personality of the Year - Newsfirst Platinum Awards 2020 - 10th WBPF World Championship