Two Sri Lankans excel at Hua Hin Muay Thai tournament

Two sportsmen representing the Muay Thai Association of Sri Lanka (MTASL) have earned their first high-profile wins in the home of the sport, Thailand, having recently excelled in their individual weight classes at the world famous Grand Thai Boxing Stadium in Hua Hin.

The winners from Sri Lanka were Kumudu Prasanna, who won in the 60 kg weight class, and Nilanka Madushan, the winner in the 75 kg weight class.

The tournament featured three Sri Lankan competitors - Kumudu, Nilanka and Roshan Duminda (participating in the 80 kg weight class), who battled it out it out amongst fighters representing 11 other nations, including Thailand.

The Muay Thai Association of Sri Lanka was founded in 2012 by Kru (master) Asoka Jayarathna, who trained under Kru Puk of the World Muay Thai Council of America and Kru Mark Steward of Boxer Rebellion International - USA and Thailand. 

In 2016, Kru Asoka trained under the Thai National Coach for Muay Thai Ajan Surat. Today, MTASL encompasses over 200 students from 20 centres, based in nine districts and three provinces across Sri Lanka. In the coming years, MTASL plans to expand its presence to about 20 districts, extending itself to all provinces in Sri Lanka. MTASL is the sister brand of the World Muay Thai Council of America.

Over the last two years, MTASL has produced international quality fighters who have toured the world and have returned to Sri Lanka with many tournament victories. 

“Most of my students come from humble backgrounds and I have found that some other combative arts available don’t give their students a place to excel and be rewarded for their hard work. No master wants to see his or her students get into street brawls or on the wrong side of the law. Muay Thai is a globally recognised sport. It gives my students the platform to compete internationally and also be rewarded for their efforts, not only with pride of victory but finances to help them succeed in life,” said MTASL Founder Asoka Jayarathna.

“In every person there is great potential and a dream of becoming great. That young man or woman must learn to unlock that potential and never let the dream of greatness die, no matter how many bumps they have along the way. What I do through Muay Thai is cultivate that potential in my students and give them the heart of a champion so that they can to achieve their dream. I believe that if your heart is good, your mind and body will follow,” he added.