The MAS Senior Men & Women Championships 2013 organized by the Linea Clothing, were held in grandeur for the second consecutive year at the Linea gymnasium from the 25th to 27th June 2013 at Pallekele.
Holding the event for the second consecutive year Linea received a large number of entries from the clusters of MAS Holdings. The magnetism of the sport in MAS Holdings was apparent through the participation of large contingents of men and women and competitive boxing bouts witnessed during the three days. The standard of boxing was very high in most weight categories. Mr. Dian Gomes, the Managing Director of MAS Intimates also known as the God father of boxing graced the event as the chief guest.
The tournament this year was of a special feature which increased the intensity of the sport. Creating history, as per latest rules of the AIBA: for the first time in Sri Lanka headgears were not used during the competitions for male boxers. This drew attention of the spectators in a very larger scale adding a new experience to Sri Lankan boxing. Linea clothing, Silueta Biyagama, Slimline Pannala, Thurulie Thulhiriya, Casualline Mawathagama Unichela Panadura and Koggala were the active participants of the event. The enthusiasm and the grace of the sport were depicted through the standardized boxing techniques displayed by the young boxers. There was fierce fighting witnessed between upcoming boxers and national level pugilists who had previously participated in Sri Lankan boxing meets as well as Internationals meets.
Sumeera Fernando of Linea clothing exhibited outstanding performance by defeating the national level champion Anurudha Gunathilaka by a thundering knockout, and qualified to be honored as the best boxer. The best looser award was won by Neil Hettiarachichi of Linea clothing competing with Saman Heelbathdeniya the most successful boxer of ABA nationals in 2010.
In women’s category Linea clothing of Pallekele won two weight classes securing two gold medals from the tournament. Anuradha Jayasinghe of Thurulie was awarded the best boxer and whilst exhibiting wonderful boxing skills Kosala Nilmini of Slimline secured her place as the best looser of the MAS championships. B.L.S. Sandareka of Unichela Koggala, the Sri Lankan representative for the 2010 Asian women Indoor games was defeated by L. Udayangani of Linea clothing, was key highlight of the tournament.
The high standard of boxing witnessed was commended by the Boxing officials. This is a prelude to the upcoming Layton Cup tournament to be held during August 17th to 21st and will give the MAS Group Boxers an edge over their counterparts in Sri Lanka with the competitive experience. MAS hopes to conduct more such tournaments in the future to give the Boxers a much needed opportunity for competing and facing meets at National and International levels confidently.
