Sri Lanka is guaranteed at least one medal at the ASBC Asian Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand. Umayanga Mihiran, a 21-year-old boxer, secured his place in the semifinals of the flyweight (51kg) category on the seventh day of the competition, ensuring a podium finish for the nation.
Sri Lanka’s boxing hopes now rest squarely on the shoulders of 21-year-old Umayanga Mihiran, who delivered a composed and masterful performance to outpoint Malaysia’s Muhammad Abdul Qayyum in the flyweight (51kg) quarterfinals at the ASBC Asian Elite Men and Women Boxing Championships in Chiang Mai, Thailand. With this victory, Mihiran advances to the semifinals, securing at least a bronze medal and becoming the island nation’s sole medal contender.
Both fighters entered the bout fresh after receiving byes in the previous round, but Mihiran’s skill, precision, and tactical superiority proved decisive. Opening cautiously, he controlled the distance in the first round with accurate left jabs. As the fight progressed, he increased the tempo, showcasing sharp uppercuts and hooks while maintaining excellent lateral movement to evade Qayyum’s attacks.
The Malaysian attempted to disrupt Mihiran’s rhythm, but the Sri Lankan pugilist remained composed, seamlessly transitioning between leading exchanges and counter-punching. Although one judge surprisingly scored all three rounds for Qayyum, Mihiran’s dominance was evident in his superior ring control and discipline.
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Mihiran now faces his biggest challenge yet, a semifinal bout against Uzbekistan’s Asilbek Jalilov on Sunday, December 8. Jalilov, the reigning ASBC Asian U22 champion, recently overcame Kazakhstan’s 2021 World Champion, Saken Bibossynov, in a closely contested bout review. With a decorated career, Jalilov poses a formidable challenge for Mihiran, setting the stage for a thrilling encounter.
Sri Lanka’s other quarterfinalists, Nuwan Jinadasa and Ravindu Kumara, faced tough challenges and were eliminated via technical knockouts. Jinadasa, competing in the light flyweight (48kg) category, initially matched Japan’s Kazuma Aratake, a 2022 silver medallist, but succumbed to a powerful left cross and relentless combinations. Ravindu Kumara, a former youth international, struggled against Uzbekistan’s dominant contender, succumbing to a second-round stoppage after a relentless barrage of punches.
As the championships, featuring 21 nations including powerhouses like Kazakhstan and Uzbekistan, progress, Sri Lanka’s hopes now rest solely on Mihiran. His upcoming semifinal promises to test his talent and resilience against one of the region’s most accomplished fighters. For Sri Lanka, Mihiran stands as a symbol of hope and determination on the international stage.
