Former Vidyarathena University College boxing star Ravindu Jayanath Kumara and Viharamahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda schoolgirl Sachini Fernando carried away the Best Boxer awards at the Intermediates Boxing championships at Royal MAS Arena on Thursday.
The four-day competition was conducted by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) with former Army Commander Gen. Mahesh Senanayake the chief guest at the finals.
Best Boxer (women) Sachini Fernando and Best Boxer (men) Ravindu Jayanath Kumara with their trophies
Former Sri Lanka youth international and three-time Stubbs Shield winner Jayanath Kumara made a spectacular return to the ring after a three-year hiatus from the sport. The 24-year-old won a classic Bantam weight (under 54kg) final against a tough soldier Rangana Premalal displaying brilliant counter punching skills, quick silver footwork and superior ringcraft.
L/Cpl Premalal, 28, representing Army Blue came out firing from the opening bell but Kumara blunted his adversary by smartly sidestepping and counter attacking in an enthralling contest to emerge victorious.
Able Seaman Himsara Navodya representing Navy Dreadnoughts was consoled with the Best Loser’s award after losing a split decision against L/Cpl Indrajith Siriwardana of Army Archers following a closely contested Feather weight (under 57kg) bout.
Stubbs Shield and Junior National champion Sachini Fernando, 19, produced a solid performance to outpoint her rival AMDK Athanayake of Police in the fly weight (under 52kg) contest. Southpaw Athanayake came out with intent in the first round displaying sound ringcraft but she had no answer once Fernando, a silver medallist at the National Sports Festival, got her bearings scoring heavily with right crosses to win comfortably.
Best Loser (men) Himsara Navodya
Army pugilists dominated the tournament with Archers winning four gold and two bronze in the men’s category while Army women clinched four golds, one silver and one bronze medal. (AO)
Results (Finals)
MEN
Minimum Weight (46-48kg): PKU Silva (Army Archers) beat AHM Gunawardhana (Police)
Fly Weight (48-51kg): SI Ranmal (SL Navy Dreadnought) beat AMS Pushpakumara (SL Air Force)
Bantam Weight (51-54kg): GJKRJ Kumara (Vidyarathena Sports Club) beat SPBR Premalal (SL Army Blue)
Feather Weight (54-57kg): HMI Siriwardana (SLArmy Archers) beat KH Navodya (SL Navy Dreadnought)
Light Weight (57-60kg): RM Pushpakumara (SL Army Archers) beat KT Maduwantha (SL Air Force Kfir)
Light Welter Weight (60-63.5kg): SMCS Samarakoon (SL Navy) beat TDD Upawansa (SL Army)
Welter Weight (63.5-67kg): MM Paris (St Sylvester’s College, Kandy) beat PMM Deepthiwardana (SL Navy)
Light Middle (67-71kg): WDK Jayasinghe (SL Navy) beat JAG Madhuranka (SL Air Force)
Middle Weight (71-75kg): YM Usaith (St Sylvester’s College, Kandy) beat DMG Dilshan (Vidyarathena Sports Club)
Light Heavy Weight (75-80kg): WAM Abeyrathna (SL Air Force) beat NR Kakillaarachchi (Vidyarathena Sports Club)
Cruiser Weight (80-86kg): JMIPP Kumara (SL Army Red) beat GWC de Silva (SL Air Force)
Heavy Weight (86-92kg): SAP Sooriyapadma (SL Army Archers) beat MRA Rahuman (St Sylvester’s College, Kandy)
Super Heavy Weight (92+kg): HMCT Weerakoon (SL Army Blue) beat KDMA Abeygoonasekera (West Coast BC)
WOMEN:
Minimum Weight (45-48kg): AGHD Premasiri (SL Air Force) beat AGHCK Abeyrathna (SL Army Blue)
Light Fly Weight (48-50kg): PMA Gunathilaka (SL Police) beat KMMJ Konara (SL Navy)
Fly Weight (50-52kg): SHSR Fernando (Veyangoda BC) beat AMDK Athanayaka (SL Police)
Bantam Weight (52-54kg): GHS Sadamali (SL Police) beat PHI Wirajani (SL Army)
Feather Weight (54-57kg): TM de Silva (West Coast BC) beat DND Rupasinghe (SL Police)
Light Weight (57-60kg): WALA de Silva (Hanwella Rajasinghe BC) beat RPKK Senanayake (SL Police)
Light Welter Weight (60-63kg): LDS Silva (SL Army) beat PM Stephen (SL Air Force)
Welter Weight (63-66kg): JMR Rasanjali (SL Army) beat LDD Wimarshani (SL Army Red)
Middle Weight (70-75kg): NMMS Narasingha (SL Army) beat TMY Bandara (Veyangoda BC)
Heavy Weight (81+kg): HADP Wathsala (SL Army) beat MADDS Kulasingha (SL Army Blue)
