Sri Lanka’s boxers may not have amounted to much in the global event at Glasgow, but there is no denying the appetite and the hunger for the gloved sport among Sri Lanka’s youth.
The 45th T. B. Jayah Memorial Boxing tournament now under way at the Pilimatalawa Central Hall has heaps of participants. They have gathered from far areas such as Mullaitivu, Kilinochchi, Moneragala, Ahangama and Ratnapura. As usual, boxers from Kandy and Royal are also in the fray.
The finals will be worked off this morning (Sunday) and at the time of going to press, all the semi-finalists had been found.
Kadugannawa MV and Vidyaratna, Horana are engaged in a tussle for honours with eleven points each. Vidyartha, with ten, are not all that far behind.
The semi-finalists are:
Schoolboys Section Age 13-14 –
37-39 Kgs: S. Jayatilleka (Dheerananda, Pilimatalawa), S. Kotuwegedera (Swarna Jothi, Kiribathkumbura), B. Dassanaike (Ananda Sasthralaya, Kotte), G. A. Bandara (Pilimatalawa MV).
39-42 Kgs: K. W. Kumara (Gamini MV, Ingiriya), L. S. Chaturasena (Kadugannawa MV), R. S. Dharmasiri (Nuawela), A. Tinneksh (Mullaitivu M.V.)
41-43 Kgs: S. S. Gamage (Vidyaratna), S. B. Gunawardena (Kingswood), S. M. Subasinghe (Dheerananda M.V.), K. S. Bandara (Anuruddha MV, Nawalapitiya).
43-45 Kgs: M. Ahjen (Ranabima, Gannoruwa), Pathum Medagedara (Swarna Jothi National School).
Junior Section – 15-16 years
44-46 Kgs: C. S. Dhananjaya (Kadugannawa M.V.), D. P. Ireshan (Vidyaratna), M. N. A. Ansaas (Royal), A. S. Madushanka (Vidyartha).
46-48 Kgs: A. P. Maduranga (Vidyaratna), K. I. Abeyratne (Royal, Panadura), K. I. R. Kumara (Vidyartha), R. K. Fernando (Sarasavi Uyana, Peradeniya).
48-50 Kgs: H. R. Hushan (Seevali Central), T. H. Kodituwakku (Kadugannawa M.V.), V. Kavishan (Vidyaratna), S. G. Ranatunga (Vidyartha).
50-52 Kgs: J. B. Eriyagama (Vidyartha), P. S. Fernando (Sri Sumangala, Panadura), A. D. Shan (Saranath M.V., Kuliyapitiya, R. N. Kumara (Pilimatalawa M.V.).
52-54 Kgs: N. C. Hettiarachchi (St. John’s, Nugegoda), A. C. Galhenage (Kingswood), A. K. Madushanka (Kadugannawa M.V.), A. J. Wickremasinghe (Mayurapada, Mawanella).
Youth Section – 17-18 years
46-49 Kgs: A. Sindujan (Royal), R. P. Dilshan (Anuruddha M.V.), O. B. Rupasinghe (Vidyartha), P. C. Dilshan (D. S. Senanayake, Ampara).
49-52 Kgs: G. O. Wenasiri (Seevali Central), G. D. Prasad (Ganthalawa M.V., Kantale), P. D. Warnajith (Ethulugama M.V., Ratnapura), C. N. Wickremasinghe (St. Sylvester’s).
52-56 Kgs: D. W. Weerapitiya(Teldeniya National School), M. M. Malsiri (Royal M.V., Moneragala), G. A. Sathipriya (Ranabima Royal), S. S. Thabojan (Kilinochchi Hindu).
56-60 Kgs: B. A. Wijewickrama (Nalanda), P. D. Samaradivakara (Wattegama Central), N. a. Ruwan (Isipathana), D. A. Sebastian (Kingswood).
60-64 Kgs: T. T. Dharmawardena (Seevali Central), P. A. Mihiran (Sariputta M.V., Ahangama), V. Mahadivulwewa (Trinity), S. R. Hettiarachchi (St. Sylvester’s).
