Sri Lanka’s campaign at the ASBC Asian Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, began on a mixed note as the opening day saw two losses, the team received a favourable draw, significantly enhancing their medal prospects.
>>13-Member Sri Lankan Boxing contingent ready for Asian Elite Boxing Championships
Six boxers advancing directly to the quarterfinals, Sri Lanka stands a strong chance of securing podium finishes.
The official draw on Friday brought mixed fortunes for Sri Lanka at the ASBC Asian Elite Men’s and Women’s Boxing Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Four men and two women advanced directly to the quarterfinals, boosting the nation’s chances of securing medals in this prestigious competition.
Quarterfinal Contenders
In the men’s division:
- Yazmin Mohommed Usaith (Middleweight):Will face Liu Cheng Eng of Chinese Taipei on December 4.
- Ravindu Jayanath Kumara (Bantamweight)and Hasitha Nuwan Jinadasa (Light Flyweight): Await their quarterfinal opponents.
- Pasindu Umayanga Mihiran (Flyweight):Will fight Malaysia’s Muhammad Abdul Qayyam for a semifinal spot.
In the women’s division:
- Kasturi Arachchige Keshani Hansika (Featherweight)and Nadeeka Pushpakumari Ranasinghe (Minimumweight): Both advanced to the quarterfinals, with Ranasinghe set to face Vietnam’s Ngo Ngoc Linh Chi.
Preliminary Round Matchups
Several Sri Lankan boxers are set to kick off their campaigns in the preliminary rounds:
- Men’s Featherweight:Podi Arachchige Rukmal Prasanna vs. Muhanaov Dovlet (Turkmenistan).
- Women’s Flyweight:Hanwellage Sanduni Priyadarshani vs. Umansika Svitlana (Ukraine).
- Women’s Light Flyweight:Ishara Thushari Perera vs. Chiu Ching Yu (Chinese Taipei).
Opening Day Performances
Sri Lanka had a tough start on Day 1, with spirited performances from Payagala Sellage Pathum Suranga Fernando and Chinthana Udaya Kumara, despite their losses.
- Fernando (Welterweight, 67kg):Displayed composure and resilience against Turkmenistan’s Saparmyrat Odayev, a former ASBC Youth silver medalist. Although Fernando led with solid jabs and maintained distance effectively, Odayev’s technical superiority and unanimous scores (30:27) secured his advancement.
- Udaya Kumara (Light Middleweight, 71kg):Faced a formidable opponent in Ukraine’s Bozorboy Matyakubov, a former European Youth Champion. Despite enduring two standing eight-counts in the first round, Kumara retaliated with powerful crosses and hooks. However, Matyakubov’s precision and defensive mastery earned him a decisive win.
Day 2 Highlights
All eyes are on Yagamage Sithija Prathap Sudamma (Light Heavyweight, 80kg), who will face Ukraine’s Sapun Ivan in the final bout of the day. The Sri Lankan team hopes for a turnaround as Sudamma takes to the ring.
Championships Overview
The event, held at Maejo University Stadium, began with a grand opening ceremony led by ASBC President Pichai Chunhavajira. Cultural performances highlighted Thailand’s heritage, welcoming boxers from 21 nations, including Afghanistan, China, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, and host Thailand.
Sri Lanka’s Focus
Despite early challenges, Sri Lanka’s 12-member contingent remains committed to showcasing their talent and determination on the continental stage. The team’s promising quarterfinal placements and gritty performances are a testament to their preparation and resilience, aiming to leave a mark in the fiercely competitive championships.
