Umayanga Mihiran imprinted his name in Sri Lanka’s boxing history by finalizing a bronze medal in the men’s flyweight (51kg) category at the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, yesterday.
His triumph marks the first medal for Sri Lanka in men’s boxing at this level since P.L.J. Ratnasuriya’s bronze in 1987 in Kuwait City, ending a 37-year wait.
Though, Mihiran’s valiant campaign ended in the semi-finals against Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Jalilov, the reigning Asian U22 champion, in a tightly contested bout.
The 21-year-old Mihiran faced the wiry and elusive 20-year-old Uzbek southpaw in a match where both displayed technical brilliance and tactical discipline.
Mihiran adopted a cautious high-guard defensive approach, in contrast to his usual fluid, attacking rhythm. In the first round, he appeared in control, scoring with sharp left jabs and crisp rights while maintaining centre control.
Even with his efforts, Jalilov edged ahead, with three of the five judges scoring the round 10-9 in the Uzbek’s favour.
The second round saw Jalilov grow in confidence, using his agility to dance around Mihiran and evade efforts to close the distance. While Mihiran landed occasional solid punches, the Uzbek’s elusiveness and tactical superiority allowed him to maintain the upper hand.
The final round followed a similar pattern, with Mihiran unable to penetrate Jalilov’s defences or consistently find his target.
Eventually, Jalilov secured a unanimous decision victory, with all five judges scoring the bout 30-27 in his favour. Mihiran, visibly disappointed, accepted the bronze medal as a consolation for his efforts.
Reflecting on the bout, Mihiran may have hesitated due to his overcautious approach, which contrasted with the dynamic and assertive style that had carried him to the semi-finals.
Despite the loss, Mihiran’s success underscores his potential as Sri Lanka’s top boxing prospect. A first-year undergraduate at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, pursuing a degree in biosystems technology, Mihiran exemplifies the balance between academics and sport.
At just 21, he has already come close to Olympic qualification and has set his sights firmly on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.
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