Exceptional individual performances highlighted a marathon day of competition during the preliminary rounds of the 105th Stubbs Shield Boxing Championship at the Royal MAS Arena on Saturday, 2nd November.
Nearly 500 boxers from 132 schools competed across 36 weight classes in three age divisions as Day 3 of the 105th Stubbs Shield Boxing Championship heated up at the Royal MAS Arena.
>>Vidyartha and St. Sylvester’s vying for Stubbs Shield glory<<
Defending champions St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy, led by SPP Angelo, the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka’s Novices Best Boxer, demonstrated their strength. Angelo (Senior Boy 52kg) compelled DSS Mendaka from Pilimathalawa Central College to concede in the second round.
Among the standout performances were Sri Lanka junior international Aazil Murajudeen (60kg) from Zahira College, Colombo, and NA Ahmed (52kg) from Royal College, Colombo, both of whom secured first-round technical knockouts on Day 3 at the Royal MAS Arena on Saturday.
Mahanama College, Colombo, and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, established themselves as formidable contenders, achieving significant wins but also encountering a few setbacks. In the Youth Girls division, TGMSP Thiththagalla (54kg) from Hemamali Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy, captivated the audience with a determined victory over SHHE Fernando of Vihara Mahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda. This tournament, part of the All Island National School Games organized by the Education Ministry and the Schools Boxing Association, features nearly 500 boxers from 132 schools competing across 36 weight classes in three age divisions.
>>St. Sylvester’s begin Stubbs Shield opener as Vidyarathana stumble early on<<
SPP Angelo displayed excellent technique, forcing his opponent’s corner to concede in the second round. Sri Lanka junior international Aazil Murajudeen (60kg) from Zahira College, Colombo, and NA Ahmed (52kg) from Royal College, Colombo, dominated their Youth Boy category bouts, each securing a first-round win with powerful combinations. Murajudeen compelled MUM Madhushanka of Udagama MV, Balangoda, to submit, while Ahmed overpowered MY Thahir of Wesley College with decisive strikes.
In the Junior Boy 48kg division, WAJ Dhananjaya from Vidyarathana University College, Horana, sustained his school’s hopes with a unanimous decision win over M. Zaid of Zahira College, Colombo. Mahanama College, Colombo, had a strong showing during the marathon session of 96 preliminary bouts, achieving three victories with WTLM Abeysekera (Junior Boy 46kg), RIR Perera (Junior Boy 50kg), KAVS Karavita (Junior Boy 54kg), and HS Nambuwasam (Youth Boy 49kg). However, WGM Yensitha (Junior Boy 48kg) faced defeat against BHMSK Kulathunga from Sri Pragnaratne Central College, Geli Oya.
>>Mahanama College surprises a few on Day-2<<
S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, also positioned itself as a top contender, winning three out of five bouts but facing an upset when WTR Dias from Sri Sumana Saman MV, Ratnapura, claimed a unanimous points victory over the towering Sri Lanka junior international RAAM Ranasinghe (Youth Boy 60kg). AAN de Silva (Senior Boy 49kg), WMCMBH Boyagane (Junior Boys 54kg), and WKHM Wijesinghe (Youth Boy 49kg) all secured impressive wins on the third day.
In the Youth Girls category, TGMSP Thiththagalla (54kg) from Hemamali Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy, delivered a standout performance, winning a hard-fought match against SHHE Fernando from Vihara Mahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda.
