The 105th Stubbs Shield Boxing tournament, a significant event in Sri Lankan School Boxing Calendar is scheduled to take place from the 31st of October to the 5th of November at the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo.
This event is a part of the Education Ministry’s National School Games, brings together the top young boxers from around the island.
This year’s Stubbs Shield will feature 550 boxers from 126 schools competing across three age groups—under 16 (junior), under 18 (youth), and under 20 (senior)—in 36 weight categories. The tournament promises intense competition for both the Shield and the prestigious Col. T.Y. Wright Challenge Cup, awarded to the Best Boxer in the boys’ division.
This year’s event is particularly meaningful for schools with rich boxing traditions. St. Sylvester’s College of Kandy, the reigning champions, boasts an impressive record with 17 Shield victories, including multiple medals from last year’s competition. Aiming to secure their fourth consecutive Shield win, St. Sylvester’s remains a top contender, reinforcing their stronghold in Sri Lankan school boxing.
Royal College, Colombo, another celebrated school, holds an unmatched record of 19 Stubbs Shield titles. With two separate streaks of four consecutive wins—from 1944 to 1947 and from 1984 to 1987—Royal College has consistently excelled and is a longstanding force in Sri Lankan boxing. Remarkably, they have participated in almost every Stubbs Shield since its inception, with only one missed year in 1999.
Vidyartha College, Kandy, is renowned for its seven-year winning streak from 1991 to 1997, establishing them as one of Sri Lanka’s elite boxing schools. Their continued dedication has inspired generations of young athletes nationwide.
This year’s champions of the L.V. Jayaweera and T.B. Jayah tournaments, Vidyarathana University College, Horana, will leverage their recent novice-level success to compete strongly in the National School Games.
Adding to the excitement, Sri Lankan school boxers have achieved recent international accolades. Kalupahana National School’s Athukoralage Dona Senudi won a bronze at the ASBC Asian Championships, while Zahira College’s Abdur Rahman Zaidh and Kalupahana National School’s Shihasna Kawindi Hetthiya also excelled internationally, bringing valuable experience to the Shield.
Established in 1914, the Stubbs Shield has a storied history, only interrupted three times—in World War II, during the civil conflict, and recently due to COVID-19. Each revival has been met with greater enthusiasm, demonstrating its cultural importance and the dedication of participating schools.
Originally led by schools like Royal College, Colombo, S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, and Zahira College, Maradana, the Stubbs Shield quickly set a high standard in skill and discipline. By the 1940s, Royal College cemented their place in Shield history with two four-year winning streaks, underscoring their consistency in producing top boxers.
The 1990s saw Vidyartha College, Kandy, dominate with a record-breaking seven-year win streak, inspiring youth across the nation and securing Vidyartha’s legacy.
With support from the Sri Lanka Schools Boxing Association and the Education Ministry, the Shield has expanded to include more weight categories, welcoming schools from all over Sri Lanka.
The Stubbs Shield’s century-long legacy speaks to its profound impact on Sri Lankan sports.
Many champions have launched their careers from this tournament, achieving both national and international success. Among them, Barney Henricus from Royal, who became Sri Lanka’s first international gold medalist at the 1938 Empire Games, set a historic precedent. As the 105th edition approaches, participants and fans alike look forward to the next chapter in this remarkable legacy, where tradition meets ambition in the pursuit of boxing excellence.
