Manju wins first boxing medal in 60 years

Monday, 11 October 2010 00:09 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}

NEW DELHI: Manju Wanniarachchi guaranteed Sri Lanka its first Commonwealth Games medal in boxing in 60 years after easing through to the semi-finals on points on Sunday, 10 October.

The 30-year-old saw of Kenya’s Nicholas Okoth in the bantamweight quarter-finals, putting him through to the last four and a guaranteed bronze.

“This is Sri Lanka’s first boxing medal since 1950, so this is great for us. It is historic,” said manager Dian Gomes.

“He (Wanniarachchi) has come a long way. In the 2006 Commonwealth Games he lost in the quarterfinals. So finally he is among medals for his country.”

Wanniarachchi, who lost in the final of the Commonwealth Championships to England’s Iain Weaver earlier this year, was virtually speechless.

“I am so happy that I am not able to explain anything. I will give my best in the next bout.”

He takes on Botswana’s Tirafalo Seoko, who beat Namibia’s Sakaria Lukas. (Times of India)