Sri Lanka is set to mark history with its largest-ever representation at the ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships, as a 13-member squad – including four women pugilists – prepares to compete in Amman, Jordan, from 28 November to 12 December.
The squad, selected from a national pool of 43 founded on performances at the recent Layton Cup, will also participate in an international training camp from 7-27 November to refine their skills ahead of the competition.
The Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has been riding a wave of success since the election of President Dr. Anuruddha Bandara in May.
Reflecting on recent achievements, Dr. Bandara remarked: “Our objective is to give extreme international exposure and high-performance training to our elite boxers in preparation for major international competitions next year.”
The team has garnered medals in international events in Seychelles, Chinese Taipei, and the UAE, with hopes to bring this momentum into the Asian Championships.
“We want to continue this motion and inspire our boxers to go for glory in the Asian Championships,” he added.
The Sri Lankan squad will contest in 13 of the 25 weight classes, facing off against athletes from developing boxing nations such as Bangladesh, Yemen, and Palestine.
Leading the charge for Sri Lanka will be 21-year-old Umayanga Mihiran, and southpaw Rukmal Prasanna, 25, who bring a wealth of international experience to the team.
Mihiran, a two-time national Light Flyweight champion, came close to qualifying for the Paris Olympics, winning two qualification bouts, while Prasanna, who claimed gold at the 2022 Les Centuries International Meet in France, is eager to make his mark on the Asian stage.
Army’s Suranga Fernando and Air Force’s Chinthana Udayakumara, both gold medallists from the Seychelles Independence Day Cup in June, are also expected to assert their dominance.
Making his international unveiling will be Layton Cup Best Boxer Hasitha Nuwan Jinadasa, joined by talented young prospect Yazmin Usaith, a 19-year-old winner from Kandy, who recently clinched the Middleweight title at the Layton Cup.
The women’s depending includes seasoned pugilists like Nadeeka Pushpakumari, a bronze medallist at the 2019 Asian Championship in Dubai, and Keshani Hansika, who returns to the international arena following knee surgery.
Air Force’s Ishara Thushari Perera and Army’s Sanduni Priyadarshini, both standouts from the Layton Cup, will be making their international debuts.
The team’s efforts will be guided by Air Force boxing Chairman Group Captain Buddhika Nissanka, along with coaches Amila Aravinda Tissera and Sajeewa Dassanayake.
Following is the tour squad:
MEN
48kg: T.H.N. Jinadasa (Police)
51kg: G.P.U. Mihiran (Police)
54kg: G.J.K.R. Kumara (Vidyarathana SC)
57kg: P.A.R. Prasanna (Army)
63.5kg: H.A.H.D. Hettiarachchi (Navy)
67kg: P.S.P.S. Fernando (Army)
71kg: I.P.D.C. Udayakumara (Air Force)
75kg: Y.M. Usaith (St. Sylvester’s BC)
86kg Y. S.P. Sudamma (Army)
WOMEN
48kg: R.A.N. Pushpakumari (Vidyarathana SC)
50kg: K.K.I.T. Perera (Air Force)
52kg: H.S. Priyadarshani (Army)
57kg: K.A.K. Hansika (Vidyarathana SC)
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