Mahanama College, Colombo (MCC) established itself as a strong contender in the 105th Stubbs Shield Boxing Championship by securing four victories on the second day of the event, held at the Royal MAS Arena on Friday.
The tournament, part of the All Island National School Games organized by the Education Ministry in collaboration with the Schools Boxing Association, features nearly 500 boxers from 132 schools competing in 36 weight classes across three age divisions.
Despite a strong performance from Mahanama College, Colombo (MCC), the day was marred by controversial decisions, leading to official protests from Dheerananda MV, Pilimathalawa, Kadugannawa National School (KNS), and Royal College, Colombo (RCC). As the preliminary rounds continue with 96 bouts scheduled for today, boxers and fans eagerly await the finals on Tuesday, November 5, where champions from each division will be crowned.
MCC asserted itself as a serious contender for the coveted Stubbs Shield by securing four victories on the second day of boxing at the Royal MAS Arena on Friday. A full slate of 89 bouts showcased intense matchups, particularly in the higher weight classes.
WTLM Abeysekara (Junior Boy 46kg), WGM Yensitha (Junior Boys 48kg), KASK Perera (Junior Boy 52kg), and HS Nambuwasam (Youth Boy 49kg) all won their opening bouts, contributing to a total of five victories for MCC. Their only loss came from Royal College, Colombo’s captain and Sri Lanka junior international Thenuwan Meegalla, who won by knockout against KDBV Perera in the Senior Boy 56kg category.
Favorites Vidyarathana University College, Horana (VUC) faced another setback when SAJ Bimsara, sidelined by the flu, conceded a walkover to JMT Deshan of St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy in the Senior Boy 64kg. Nonetheless, they achieved three wins through DNB Dulnada (Junior Boy 46kg), MM Udukala (Junior Boy 50kg), and LN Prasanna (Junior Boy 54kg).
Defending champions St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy, who have held the Shield for the past three years, also experienced a defeat when BGD Piyathilaka lost to RMVM Rathnayaka of Sri Pragnaratne Central College, Geli Oya (Senior Boy 49kg). However, SPP Angelo (Senior Boy 52kg), TMCL Tennakoon (Senior Boy 75kg), and JMT Deshan (Senior Boy 64kg) secured victories.
The day’s proceedings were overshadowed by controversial rulings, with protests filed by three schools: Dheerananda MV, Pilimathalawa, and KNS. Notably, Sri Lanka junior international RMNC Rathnayake of Dheerananda MV lost a close split points decision (3:2) despite dominating Lankathileke MV’s WGMTD Senevirathne (Junior Boy 46kg), while NBP Weerasinghe of KNS also lost by a split decision (3:2) after an impressive performance against VUC’s Dulnada.
A significant upset occurred when Royalist MISM Asadullah (Junior Boy 48kg) lost to LYBRM Karunarathne of Peradeniya Central College. Asadullah, who started Royal’s campaign, showcased exceptional skill and ringcraft against the powerful Karunarathne but ultimately suffered a surprising split points decision loss (3:2), much to the dismay of the audience and his teammates.
RCC also faced challenges, losing a competitive match between two southpaws, with MBP Thilakarathna of Sivali College, Ratnapura defeating B Mewan (Junior Boy 50kg). Ananda College, Colombo’s PN Samadanam triumphed over TM Dissanayake (Senior Boy 52kg), but RCC’s heavyweights—skipper Meegalla, KMM Bandara (Senior Boy 75kg), and KSM Perera (Senior Boy 81kg)—secured decisive wins.
In the girls’ events, Northern Province’s B Brintha (Junior Girls 46kg) and U Keerthinana (Senior Girls 60kg) delivered strong performances to advance to the next round, while NKGCJ Siriwardhana (Senior Girls 48kg) of Hemamali Girls College, Kandy, also dominated her opponent.
The preliminary rounds will continue today with a full schedule of 96 bouts.
 established itself as a strong contender in the 105th Stubbs Shield Boxing Championship by securing four victories on the second day of the event, held at the Royal MAS Arena on Friday. ){kind=link}