Sri Lankan youth boxers stole the spotlight at the ASBC Asian U22 & Youth Boxing Championships held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium in Colombo.
Cambodia’s Sovann Nea and Saudi Arabia’s Feras Alsubhi met in an intense bout, which was the first fight on Day 2. Alsubhi eventually counter-attacked with technically sound, accurate punches against the wavering offense of the Cambodian, defeating him in the first round of the minimum weight (48kg) category encounter.
>>ASBC Asian Under 22 and Youth Boxing Championships in Sri Lanka<<
Sathsara Warnakulasooriya was Sri Lanka’s first boxer in action and managed to beat his opponent, Kyrgyzstan’s Anaraly Anarbekov, comprehensively in the first round of the youth minimum weight (48kg) category. From the beginning, Sathsara dominated with quick right-arm jabs, forcing the referee to count on the Kyrgyz boxer in the second minute due to the continuous, powerful punches. Sathsara won the bout with ease, and his aggressive style kept Sri Lankan spectators on the edge of their seats.
In the third fight, Thathsara Illangasinghe faced Kazakhstan’s Dossymzhan Tangatar in the preliminary round of the flyweight (51kg) category. The Kazakh boxer, being taller, held a reach advantage with his long-arm jabs, while Thathsara countered with exceptional footwork and nimble movement. Though Thathsara fought bravely by going forward and taking risks against the taller opponent, the Kazakh boxer ultimately emerged victorious.
>>Sri Lanka’s young boxers begin a residential training camp<<
Kazakhstan’s ASBC Asian Junior Champion Aldiyar Bakhadur, one of the gold medal favorites in the bantamweight (54kg) category, battled against local boxer Vidusha Hettiarachchi. From the outset, the Royalist boxer Vidusha displayed aggression with powerful punches, but Aldiyar avoided them using his highly technical style and outclassed the Sri Lankan.
United Arab Emirates’ Bader Saeed Ali Alsedrani faced Kyrgyzstan’s Daniil Bulavkin in the following bout. Although the UAE boxer was aggressive in the first round, Bulavkin counter-attacked magnificently to secure his place in the next round.
Kazakhstan’s experienced youth boxer Nygman Nygmet competed against Australia’s Angus Friswell in the youth featherweight (57kg) preliminary round. Nygmet launched a fierce offensive to advance in the tournament.
>>ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships launched in grand style<<
In the next bout, Saudi Arabia’s Mohammad Alhaidary confronted Sri Lanka’s energetic boxer Witana Arachchilage Jayathissa in the featherweight (57kg) category. Jayathissa constantly pressured his opponent while maintaining a solid defensive block, and the Kandyan boxer outclassed the Saudi Arabian, securing another medal hope for Sri Lanka.
Zahira College’s Tuan Aasil Murajudeen, another impressive Sri Lankan southpaw, displayed excellent aggression and footwork against India’s Mohit in the preliminary round. While the Sri Lankan went for a knockout, the Indian boxer continued to counter. After three exciting rounds that kept the crowd on their feet, the Indian was given a slight edge on the judges’ scorecards.
Mongolia’s Tengis Amarjargal and Kyrgyzstan’s Erlan Ergeshov clashed in the next youth lightweight (60kg) fight, where the Kyrgyz boxer secured a dominant victory in the first round.
Kazakhstan’s Adilet Tortubek emerged victorious against Tajikistan’s Zoir Khojabekov in the lightweight (60kg) category, marking the final male bout of the day.
In the final bout of the day, India’s Chanchal Kumari took on Saudi Arabia’s National Champion Alanood Alghamdi in the minimum weight (48kg) category. Kumari’s punches proved too strong for the Saudi boxer, ending the day with a resounding win.
