Sri Lanka’s journey at the ASBC Asian Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand, hit another roadblock on Thursday as Hanwellage Sanduni Priyadarshani and Kasthuri Arachchige Keshani Hansika bowed out in the quarterfinals. Their exits have significantly narrowed the nation’s medal prospects.
With these defeats, Sri Lanka’s hopes now hinge on three remaining contenders: Umayanga Mihiran, Nuwan Jinadasa, and Ravindu Jayanath Kumara, all of whom advanced directly to the quarterfinal stage without preliminary bouts.
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As the competition intensifies, the pressure is mounting on the remaining Sri Lankan boxers to deliver and keep the nation’s medal aspirations alive.
Competing in her debut tournament, Priyadarshani put up a spirited fight against Ukrainian southpaw Svitlana, landing strong overhand rights in a closely contested battle. However, Svitlana’s technical superiority and composure in critical moments shifted the outcome. A standing eight count against Priyadarshani in the second round proved pivotal, with two judges scoring it 10–8 in favor of the Ukrainian. Despite a unanimous decision loss, Priyadarshani’s resilience and potential shone through.
In the featherweight (57kg) division, Sri Lanka’s most seasoned competitor, 33-year-old Keshani Hansika, faced a challenging return to the ring following knee surgery earlier this year. Up against the aggressive Riza Pasuit of the Philippines, Hansika started strong, utilizing her reach advantage and clean technique to edge the first round.
>>Sri Lanka’s medal hopes takes major dent<<
However, Pasuit’s relentless pressure and powerful strikes gradually overwhelmed Hansika. Despite her composure and determination, even with a heavily strapped left knee, Hansika lacked the firepower to match Pasuit’s dominance. While one judge favored Hansika in the final round, the overall decision was a clear victory for the Filipino boxer.
With four of Sri Lanka’s quarterfinalists now eliminated, the country’s medal hopes rest solely on Umayanga Mihiran and Nuwan Jinadasa, who will fight in their upcoming bouts.
As the championships, featuring 21 nations and boxing powerhouses such as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, and Thailand, unfold, Sri Lanka’s fighters continue to showcase their grit against elite competition.
