Sri Lanka’s best female boxers personified victory as they took on fighters from some of the world’s top boxing nations in a bid for gold at the Eight-Nation International Women’s Boxing Tournament of Tunisia held from 12th – 17th November, 2012, in Tunis City, Tunisia. Egypt, Hungary, Sri Lanka, Poland, Finland, Serbia, Algeria and Tunisia took part in this tournament.
Anusha Kodithuwakku from Slimline Boxing Club won Gold by beating her opponent, LoikkanenLotta from Finland on a RSC decision in the first round in an impressive display of boxing talent. In what was termed as her last match on an international stage, Anusha put up a spirited performance and battled her way through to bring glory to Sri Lanka one last time before hanging up her boxing gloves. Fighting in the 48kg weight category, Anusha defended her track record as the best female boxer the country has produced.
“I am ecstatic. Yet again we proved to the world that Sri Lanka can, commented Anusha soon after her win. “I am grateful to everyone who continuously supported me to become a champion, especially Dian sir, who believed in my talent more than I did.”
Many are the milestones in Anusha’s successful career; participating in Asian Invitational Boxing Tournaments in Vietnam in 2006 saw Anusha bring home the first ever Gold Medal in women’s boxing for Sri Lanka. She is also a two-time Asian Championship Bronze medallist.
Both Sitari Sandareka and Shiromali Weeraratne bagged Bronze medals at the tournament, making the Tunisian tour a great achievement for Sri Lankan boxing. Sandareka, from MAS Southern Boxing Club, representing Sri Lanka in her third international tournament secured the Bronze Medal defeating her Algerian counterpart 11-5, displaying immense skill and technique in her weight category of 57kg.
Shiromali, from Sri Lanka Police Boxing Club, fighting in the Welter Weight under 75kg category and won a bronze at the tournament, She had a close bout with Hungary National Champions Timea Nagy with 8/14 decision in the semi Finals and lost with a split decision. Shiromali created history in her own right by becoming the first female boxer of her club to win a medal at an international tournament, and was also a National Champion in 2011 in her weight category.
With the inception of women’s boxing in the year 2000, Sri Lanka has nurtured many young and talented women to excel in a sport earlier considered best suited for men. Time and time again, these female boxers have proved their worth in the boxing ring, receiving international recognition and accolades for their skills. Dian Gomes, accompanying the team as Manager said “There is no limit to their talent. These women are exceptional in the boxing ring, building a future that they could never dream of before they held a boxing glove. That’s the magic of sport, the more you sacrifice for the love of the game, the more you gain, and these fighters have gained so much in life beyond fame and recognition.”
