The Lions Cup 2014 organized by the Amateur boxing Association of Sri Lanka started off yesterday at the Sugathdasa Indoor Stadium.
This international tournament which will take place from the 28th of April to the 2nd of May is set to bring new precedent to Boxing in Sri Lanka. With a spectacular opening ceremony under the patronage of Gen. Jagath Jayasuriya, the teams lined up for the Boxer’s oath followed up with the referees and officials oath and the tournament was under way with 11 countries fighting for the converted trophy.
These athletes will be competing in 7 weight classes in the men’s category as Light flyweight, Flyweight, Bantam weight, Light weight, Light welterweight, Welterweight and Middle welterweight while the women category consists of 3 weight classes; Flyweight, Lightweight, Middle weight. There will be 2 Boxers representing Sri Lanka in all categories; Men’s and Women’s.
The stadium erupted as the Sri Lankan team arrived and was introduced to the Chief guest and guests of honor. Most of the Boxers were from MAS holdings group and following them were loads of supporters and the very Sri Lankan Papare bands which gave the Sugathadasa indoor stadium a carnival like atmosphere.
The opening bout was a light flyweight (46-49 kg) between Indonesia’s Kornelis Kwangu Langu and the Philippines Rogan Ladon which Ladon won quite convincingly.
The 3rd bout for the day saw Sri Lanka’s MM Prabashawara take on the Chinese Taipei’s Tsung-Chuncheng in the Light flyweight (46-49 kg). The crowd erupted with every punch that Prabashwara delivered. Both boxers jabbed quite consistently and the Sri Lankan Pugilist knocked down the Taipei boxer a few times. It was an exciting bout in the end but the Sri Lankan seemed to have dominated all 3 rounds taking advantage of the mistakes the Boxer from the Red corner made. The crowed simply roared in exuberance as home boy was announced winner; heralding a wonderful start to the tournament for the Sri Lankan team
The next Sri Lankan bout was between NGS Jayaweera and Australia’s Jayden Hansen in the Bantam weight (56 kg) weight category. The bout was a rather less attractive bout compared to the other bouts but the upper cuts by both boxers looked painfully effective. The local Pugilist looked to take good advantage of his opponent as he looked tired in the 2nd round itself. The Australian was kept on the defense but the Sri Lankan managed to break through effectively. Hansen looked to play a more patient game trying to take advantage of his opponent’s mistakes. The 3rd round however was a more evenly poised competition where the Aussie looked to side step and dodge and throw punches in from different angles. As the whistle blew, a few heafty blows by the Sri Lankan the final bell sounded the end of the match. There was a sudden hush in the stadium as the spectators did not know what to expect but a joyous cheer erupted following the announcement that Sri Lanka’s Jayaweera had won in a split decision by the judges.
From the blue corner RMAB Gunathilake took on Malaysian Alnazirul Othman in the 9th bout of the day. The Sri Lankan boxer looked to hit too straight where he should have tried to hit cross targeting the cheeks yet at the end of the 1st round of the bout the Sri Lankan seemed to have the edge though over the Malaysian. With shouts of ‘GUNE’ echoing in the stadium it definitely was a Barnburner of a bout. The 3rd victory for Sri Lanka was made official with the announcement of “the winner from the Blue corner; Sri Lanka”.
The final bout for Sri Lanka for the day saw D Wijeyratne take on a rather catcher Daniel Heyes from Australia from the red corner in the Light welterweight (64 kg) category. Although Wijeyratne’s defense did not look too solid with the gloves a little too wide apart, his cross hits were deadly. The boxer from the red corner looked to clinch in order to avoid few of these deadly blows and bounced back when Damith was caught lagging. However this interesting bout gave Sri Lanka its 4th win for the day with a unanimous decision from the judges.
It was an eye pleaser to see that the nations boxing is on the right track and it is evident observing the performances of these Pugilists.“Sri Lankan boxing has reached a milestone today, as we host the first international boxing meet to be held in Sri Lanka, the Lions cup 2014. There has always been a compelling vision at the heart of Sri Lankan boxing, to stand side by side with the greatest boxing nations in the world, competing with them head to head, heart to heart” the Tournament Director and ardent Boxing supporter Mr. Dian Gomes mentioned in his message to the Lions Cup 2014 souvenir.
Sri Lanka will look to continue their winning streak on the coming days and bring pride to the nation. As the slogan of the tournament goes “11 countries and ONE passion” the passion of this little island will definitely burn bright in the hearts of these athletes.
1st Days Results of the Lions Cup Boxing Tournament
Bout 1 – Light flyweight (46-49kg) – Indonesia vs. Philippines – PHI won
Bout 2- Light flyweight (46-49kg) – Australia vs. Malaysia – MAS won
Bout 3 – Light flyweight (46- 49kg) – Chinese Taipei vs. Sri Lanka – SL won
Bout 4 – Bantam weight (56kg) – Philippines vs. Kenya – PHI won
Bout 5 – Bantam weight (56kg) – Chinese Taipei vs. Singapore – TPE won
Bout 6 – Bantam weight (56kg) – Australia vs. Sri Lanka – SL won
Bout 7 – Light weight (60kg) – Kenya vs. Singapore – SIN won
Bout 8 – Light weight (60kg) – Australia vs. Belgium – BEL won
Bout 9 – Light weight (60kg) – Malaysia vs. Sri Lanka – SL won
Bout 10 – Light welterweight (64kg) – Malaysia vs. Singapore – MAS won
Bout 11 – Light welterweight (64kg) – Chinese Taipei vs. Kenya – KEN won
Bout 12 – Light welterweight (64kg) – Australia vs. Sri Lanka – SL won
Bout 13 – Welterweight (69kg) – Kenya vs. Australia – KEN won
Bout 14 – Women’s Flyweight (48-51 kg) – Chinese Taipei – TPE won
Bout 15 – Women’s Flyweight (48-51 kg) – Philippines vs. Thailand – THA won
