The Men’s & Women’s Junior National Boxing Championships organized by the Sri Lanka School Boxing Association and conducted by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (ABA) was held from the 10th to 13th February 2014 at the Royal college sports complex, aiming to bring to the forefront of the future of Sri Lankan boxing.
Dr. Sisira Godamune, a senior member of the ABA medical commission graced the event as the Chief Guest.
The tournament was open for pugilists between the ages of 17-19, which also included school boxers to debut in all weight categories. The tournament was presided by Boxing Referees and Judges Association affiliated to the ABA. It comprised of participants from 42 different schools; 156 men and 48 women entries were recorded as the highest number at a Junior Nationals tournament held comparing to the previous years.
For the first time in the School boxing history, Dharmaraja Collage Kandy dominated the School boxing arena during the finals and climbing the victory stand as the champions of the men’s category scoring 18 points. Vidyartha College Kandy the last year champions of Junior Nationals boxing tournament came second scoring 17 points on the score board whilst placing Trinity College Kandy in the third place with 15 points. This year the school boxing glories were in favor of Kandy where all three places were dominated by Kandy schools. Royal College, the home team made a wonderful entry with 3 boxers out of 10 weigh categories for the final battle but was defeated by the visitors. Though they were in the front line their dreams were crushed with the unexpected dominance of the visitors.
Representing the fly weight category, WAI Sanjaya of Vidyartha College Kandy was crowned the Best boxer of the men’s weight categories whilst K Sindujan of Royal College was titled the Best Loser of the men’s division of the tournament. This bout was recognized as the most interesting battle where true spirit of boxing was shared. A great combination of techniques, physical fitness, and energetic crowd support and thirst for victory drived the two gladiators to earn the respect and attention of the judges and spectators.
Sanjaya, who represented the Asian Youth Championships, last month, proved his talent and projected a future Manuju Wanniarachchi. The twins and also the other two representatives of Asian Youth Championships held in Bangkok, KASPJ Indunil & KAS Banuka, won their bouts, Fly and Bantam weight category respectively proving their standards and skills to the gigantic school spectators, officials and the coaches.
The women’s Championship was stolen by MAS Unichela Boxing club Panaduara securing 5 Gold medals out 8 weight categories scoring 32 points. The entire women’s weight categories were dominated by these young ladies. Narangdeniya Central College and MAS Southern scored 7 and 6 points respectively. Limesha Silva of MAS Unichela Boxing Club was crowned as the best boxer in the female category whilst Nirasha Sewandhi was the Best Loser of Bandaranayake Central College Veyangoda.
Finals Results – Men’s
Best boxer (men) – Isanka Sanjaya -Vidyartha college
Best loser (men) – K Sindujan – Royal college
2nd place – Vidyartha college kandy
3rd place – Trinity college, kandy
Team championships – Dharmaraja college, kandy
Finals Results – Women’s
Best boxer (women) – Limesha lakmali MAS Unichela bc
Best loser (women) – Nirasha Sewandhi – Bandaranayake Central college
3rd place – MAS Southern bc with 6 points
2nd place – Narandeniya central college with 7 points
Team championships – Mas Unichela BC with 32 points
