The Sri Lankan team emerged overall winners of the Lions cup International Boxing tournament yesterday at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium with many Sri Lankan Pugilists taking major honors.
It was icing on the cake as the Sri Lankan team was awarded Overall champions at the Lions Cup international Boxing tournament hosted in Sri Lanka. Apart from being crowned Lions Cup champions many Sri Lankan pugilists in the likes of Anusha Kodituwakku, Anuruddha Rathnayala, Mohoommed Dilshan and team mates to name a few ended up with major hours winning awards and medals ending up on the podium.
The first Sri Lankan bout was the men’s final for the Light welterweight (64 kg) weight category between M Dilshan and Kenya’s strong Dennis Okuth. The Bout was a real barnburner as both boxers were very strong in technique and strength and looked to get ahead of the opposing pugilist. With a packed stadium cheering the Sri Lankan on Dilshan delivered carefully timed jabs and punches eventually awarding him a Gold medal at the awards ceremony.
In the Lighweight (60 kg) men’s final it was two Sri Lankans boxing off for supremacy. PVDDD Saparamadu took on team mate RMAB Gunathilake. It was nice to see two team mates fighting off from the red and blue corners. Evidently both boxers knowing each other’s strengths and weaknesses looked careful in attack and strong in defense not taking any risk what so ever. The crowd didn’t know whom to cheer for and eventually cheered “Come on SRI LANKA”. It was a touching moment for all Sri Lankans. After 3 tense rounds of duelling Saparamadu emerged winner on a split decision from the judges.
Sri Lankan star and celebrated boxer Anuruddha Ratnayake took on the Philippine Ian Clark Bautista in the Flyweight (52 kg) weight category where Ratnayake won Sri Lanka its 3rd Gold medal for the day. Rathnayake was powerful in his hooks and upper cuts and at a stage the Philippine had no choice but to keep blocking off; a really good bout, a true final with both boxers having ample experience and skill.
It was final after final for the Sri Lankans and it was once again a Sri Lankan final when national Teammates PGE Madushan saw MM Prabashwara on his opposing corner. Once again the chants of “SRI LANKA” deafening the stadium. This bout was similar to the previous all Sri Lankan bout where both pugilists knew each other inside out and dueled a smartly planned game. It was personal disappointment for Madushan but delight and glory for the nation as Prabashwara was announced winner of this tense bout earning him a taste of Gold in the men’s Light flyweight (49 kg) weight category.
The only female boxer from Sri Lanka to reach the finals was, Women’s captain Anusha Kodituwakku who took on Sopida Saturam from Thailand. Sopida who proved to be a strong promising boxer showed what she was made of and her fighting fire within definitely burned bright as she delivered powerful blows and swept to distract while Anusha blocked and attacked perfectly, timing her punches and hooks masterfully to catch Sopida off guard. Anusha won the 5th Gold medal For Sri Lanka bringing joy and delight to all present. It was a dream end to the bouts of the tournament for Sri Lanka.
The support was massive and every punch, jab and hook was cheered on by the jam packed Sri Lankan supporters. It showed the country’s passion for the sport which was hugely popular in the 40’s and 50’s, is back and looking to be on the right track. The tournament which was mainly aimed to provide experience to the Sri Lankans in preparation for the Commonwealth games starting on the 23rd of August in Scotland and on a distant vision, the 2020 Olympics, it was definitely a successful venture.
The awards ceremony was a delightful one for the Sri Lankans as chief guest Sri Lanka’s Minister of Sports; Hon. Mahindananda Aluthgamage awarded medal after medal and finally the Trophy to the Sri Lankans.
“A war of 30 years was ended, winning a medal at the Olympics is nothing” said the tournament Director and ardent Sri Lanka boxing supporter Dian Gomes when he was spoken to by ThePapare.com. He went on to say that the future for Sri Lankan boxing looks bright and prosperous with many athletes from young ages are developing an interest for the sport nourishing the sport’s blood and flesh.
With the team motto of “Impossible is nothing, Sri Lanka can” the Sri Lankan pugilists definitely brought honour to the sports driven nation and proved that “yes, Sri Lanka can”
Results of the Lions Cup International Boxing Tournament 2014:
Sri Lankan Gold Medalists:
Best Boxer Male: M Dilshan
Best Boxer Female: Anusha Kodituwakku
Sri Lanka won 5 gold medals out of 10 weight categories and won the Lions Cup 2014
