Army pugilists Lahiru Lakmal Chandrabandara (men) and Nethmi Nishadi Perera (women) representing Western Province carried away the Best Boxer awards at the 48th National Sports Festival conducted by the Department of Sports Development of the Sports Ministry at the Torrington Indoor Sports Complex at Racecourse in Colombo.
An outstanding product of St Sylvester’s College, Kandy, Chandrabandara caused a major upset when he outpointed IPDC Udayakumara who won a gold medal at an international tournament in Seychelles. A two-time national champion, Sgt Chandrabandara, 32, attached to the Military Corps, used his longer reach to tactically outsmart and smother his tough rival from Air Force representing North Central Province who appeared to run out of steam.
Nethmi Nishani Perera, 21, of Army Women’s Corps was adjudged the Best Boxer (women) for displaying superb ringcraft throughout the competition and outclassing her rival from Sabaragamuwa Province MKM Muthuni in the final. A product of Medankara MV, Horana, this is the second major Best Boxer award for Nethmi who won the Layton Cup last year.
The five-day competition saw over 300 boxers from all over the island competing for honours.
Central Province emerged champions in the men’s category winning 10 medals consisting of four gold, two silver and four bronze medals. Western Province dominated the women’s division clinching 12 medals consisting of four gold, two silver and six bronze medals. (AO)
Finals (men)
Minimum weight (46-48kg): HMLP Jayawardhana (Central Province) beat GKGWU Kumara (Eastern Province)
Fly weight (48-51kg): KSK Abeygunawardana (Central Province) beat BOOKIC Prabath (North Central Province)
Bantam weight (51-54kg): PGE Madushan (Southern Province) beat NKPJ Silva (Western Province)
Feather weight (54-57kg): PAR Prasanna (Western Province) beat PVS Himanjith (Western Province)
Light weight (57-60kg): RMPKK Rasnayaka (North Western Province) beat UGNK Amarawansha (Central Province)
Light Welter weight (60-63.5kg): HAHD Hettiarachchi (Central Province) beat NGPKB Dayaratne (North Central Province)
Welter weight (63.5-67kg): Y Kiritharan (Northern Province) beat AMTS Adhikari (North Central Province)
Light Middle weight (67-71kg): PMLL Chandrabandara (Western Province) beat IPDC Udayakumara (North Central Province)
Middle weight (71-75kg): YM Usaith (Central Province) beat RGUS Rupassara (Central Province)
Light Heavy weight (75-80kg): HAWK Kumara (North Western Province) beat PKK Srinath (Southern Province)
Cruiser weight (80-86kg): YSP Sudamma (Western Province) beat MEM Mudannayaka (Western Province)
Heavy weight (86-92kg): PARS Roopasinghe (North Central Province) beat AW Hettige (Southern Province)
Super Heavy weight (92+kg): UV Avishka (Southern Province) beat WMM Meegasthenna (Eastern Province)
WOMEN
Minimum weight (45-48kg): HKNN Perera (Western Province) beat MKM Muthuni (Sabaragamuwa Province)
Light Fly weight (48-50kg): RAN Pushpakumari (Western Province) beat P Indugathevi (Northern Province)
Fly weight (50-52kg): LIN Malshani (Southern Province) beat SHSR Fernando (Western Province)
Bantam weight (52-54kg): KKIT Perera (Western Province) beat WAW Nawodya (Sabaragamuwa Province)
Feather weight (54-57kg): HYR Fernando (Western Province) beat KSN Seneviratne (Sabaragamuwa Province)
Light weight (57-60kg): AGKH Gamage (Central Province) beat SJR Pathiraja (Central Province)
Light Welter weight (60-63kg): NGMP Dasunika (Southern Province) beat KBKATD Kahadawa (Central Province)
Welter weight (63-66kg): AMHM Adhikari (North Central Province) beat KMAN Perera (Western Province)
Light Middle weight (66-70kg): WWAK Thiwanka (Southern Province) beat L Jesmitha (Northern Province)
Middle weight (70-75kg): WGK Lalani (Southern Province) beat JS Hansika (Southern Province)
