Hemamali’s Chathuri, Army’s Herath Best Novice boxers

Army Boxing Chairman Maj. Gen. Janaka Pallekumbura presenting the Best Boxer award to Chathuri Siriwardena

Hemamali College, Kandy, schoolgirl Chathuri Siriwardena and a 27-year-old Army Lance Corporal Nissanka Herath carried away the Best Boxer awards at the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) Novices Boxing meet for men and women held at the Royal MAS Arena. 

The tournament, conducted by the BASL, attracted 125 entries from 21 clubs during the four-day competition.

This is the third Best Boxer award in as many meets for Siriwardena, who was adjudged the Most Scientific Boxer at the BASL Junior Championship and All Island National School Games last year. The talented 18-year-old from Kandy outclassed V. Gayathri of Omega Line Boxing Club, Vavuniya, in the Light Fly (50kg) weight final.

Herath, representing Army Archers, prevailed in a closely contested Minimum (48kg) weight final against S.D. Weerasinghe of Back2Fit Boxing Club.

Significantly, Army asserted their dominance in the Men’s division, winning 12 of the 13 weight classes in addition to five Silver medals, having a total of 19 boxers.

Army Boxing Chairman Maj. Gen. Janaka Pallekumbura gave away the special awards.

Results

Medal winners

Women

Minimum (48kg)

Gold – P.U. Edirisinghe (University of Kelaniya)

Silver – R. Valarmathi (Omega Line BC)

Light Fly (50kg)

Gold – N.K.G.C.J. Siriwardana (Hemamali BC)

Silver – V. Gayathri (Omega Line BC)

Fly (52kg)

Gold – M. Balaxsika (Omega Line BC)

Silver – S. de Silva (West Coast BC)

Feather (57kg)

Gold – U. Keerthana (Omega Line BC)

Silver – A.K. Angammana (Back2Fit BC)

Light Welter (63kg)

Gold – K.P.D.L. Perera (Veyangoda BC)

Silver – N. Jathurshika (Omega Line BC)

Welter (66kg)

Gold – P.L.D.N. Sewwandi (Vidyarathana SC)

Silver – P.A.P.U. Athukorala (Veyangoda BC)

Light Middle (70kg)

Gold – N.M.H.N. Nayakarathna (Veyangoda BC)

Silver – S. Jemitha (Omega Line BC)

Light Heavy (81kg)

Gold – R.A.Y. Purnima (Gamini Central BC)

Silver – T.M.Y.P. Bandara (Veyangoda BC)

Men

Minimum (48kg)

Gold – H.M.N.R.K. Herath (SL Army Archers)

Silver – S.D. Weerasinghe (Back2Fit BC)

Fly (51kg)

Gold – D.M.M. Bandara (SL Army Archers)

Silver – T.M.A.B. Thennakoon (Vidyartha BC)

Bantam (54kg)

Gold – N.K.P.J. Silva (SL Army Blue)

Silver – D.N. Nilangarathna (Back2Fit BC)

Feather (57kg)

Gold – K.G.S.K. Heshan (St. Sylvester’s BC)

Silver – T.J.P.P. Jayaweera (SL Army Archers)

Light (60kg)

Gold – M.A.D.P. Hettiarachchi (SL Army Archers)

Silver – N. Sajeev (Vavuniya District Boxing Association)

Light Welter (63.5kg)

Gold – G.G.R.D.D. Sirisena (SL Army Archers)

Silver – A.K.D.H. Wijeysinghe (Vidyartha BC)

Welter (67kg)

Gold – A.A.D.D. Adikari (SL Army)

Silver – W.M.D.S. Wadimuna (SL Army Archers)

Light Middle (71kg)

Gold – R.K.S.N. Lakmal (SL Army Blue)

Silver – S. Fernando (West Coast BC)

Middle (75kg)

Gold – G.P.D. Sadaruwan (SL Army Archers)

Silver – D.B.N.K.K. Seuwandika (SL Army)

Light Heavy (80kg)

Gold – I.B. Chandrapala (SL Army Red)

Silver – I.M.D.P. Rajapaksha (SL Army)

Cruiser (86kg)

Gold – K.M.R.C.L. Wijekoon (SL Army Archers)

Silver – I.M.D.S. Piyarathna (SL Navy)

Heavy (92kg)

Gold – W.A.C. Nikshan (SL Army Blue)

Silver – T.L.S.M. Ariyarathna (Vidyartha BC)

Super Heavy (92+kg)

Gold – D.S.L. Senavirathna (SL Army Blue)

Silver – S.M.K. Bandara (SL Army Archers)

Chathuri Siriwardena (left) and Nissanka Herath with their Best Boxer awards

Army were the dominant team at the tournament