Taiwan welcomed energetic boxers globally for the third Taipei cup 2013 which was held from the 14th – 20th this August at the Taipei Sports Gymnasium with much color and enthusiasm.
The tournament was celebrated through five days under six male categories and four female categories. Kazakhstan, Australia, Taipei, DPR Korea, Honkong, Indonesia, Japan, Jordan, Korea, Macao, Malaysia, Mongolia, New Zealand, Singapore, Thailand and Sri Lanka, were the proud 16 participating countries at this year’s tournament.
Malith Prabashwara of Slimline being the youngest of the team managed to earn a Bronze medal exhibiting exceptional skills and techniques, in the 49Kg weight category. Prabashwara battled against Cheing Lap Cheong of Macau who is a well experienced boxer in the International arena and won the bout in 3/0 points, defeating the Macaw champion. Regrettably Prabashwara lost to Kornelis Kwangu Langu of Indonesia in Semi Finals. Indonesian boxer won the Gold in the Light Fly weight category. Wasantha Kumara who was a leading boxing coach in Linea Boxing Club wass the force behind the champion.
Kosala Nilmini, representing MAS Southern, fought in the 48Kg weight category in women’s category. Her first battle was against champion Siu Chheuk Ying of Hong Kong who was surprised with superb display of attacking skills of Kosala. Kosala went to win the bout on 3/0 point decision. Unfortunatly Kosala lost in the semifinals after fighting against an internationally experienced lady from the republic of Korea. Kosala was groomed by the former National champion Harsh Kumara.
In 51Kg Fly weigth category, Erandi De Silva from MAS Southern faced an intense combat against an Indonesian boxer in her preliminary rounds in 51 Kg weight category. Althought she won the fight with Indonesian boxers in 2/1 split decision, unfortunately crashed by the lady form the Republic of Korea. The DP Korean champion managed to steal the Silver at the Finals.
In the men’s category Sanjeewa Jayaweera of Slimline representing the 56Kg weight category, boxed against a Thailand boxer, projecting a close contest but lost the battle by 3/0 point disicion. The Thailand boxer who was exceptionally skilled defeated the Singapore and Taipei boxers, where the referee stopped the bouts at the initial step. Thailand boxer won the gold in this weight category.
The 60kg weight category was represented by Sisira Kumarasighe of Navy, who exhibited clear cut combinations to his opponent the New Zealand. Experienced New Zealand boxer won the bout showing power puches and sound foot works. This boxer went to win Silver medal at the finals.
Asanka Jayalath of the Sri Lankan Army represented the 64kg weight category regretfully lost the combat in the preliminary rounds against the Taipei boxer who was immensely skilled and armed with powerful punches. This was the first international experience for Jayalath, however Taipei cup earned valuable experiences and good international exposure to his career grooming his skills.
Mr. Harsha Kumara was the head coach of the men’s team whilst Mr. Champaka Maataraarachchi coached the women’s team, under the supervision of Mr. Hemantha Weerasinghe who represented the team as the team manager.
The overall championship was stolen by Thailand placing Indonesia in second, the home team Taipei in third and Sri Lanka in seventh in rankings.
The third Taipei came to a grand ending where each and every boxer was honored as champions adding much value to their boxing careers. And this will also be the stepping stone to the Clifford cup which will be held from the 25th – 29th August 2013 at the Sugathadasa indoor stadium prior to select boxers for AIBA world boxing Championships.
