Angelo and Nirushika clinch best boxer titles at Novices Tournament

S.P.P. Angelo of St. Sylvester’s BC and Nirushika Jayathissa of Up Hill BC were adjudged the Best Boxers of the Novices Boxing Tournament held at the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo. The tournament, organised by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), featured a record number of 186 boxers from 27 clubs.

Rohan de Silva, Group Director of McLarens Group of Companies and President of Sri Lanka Badminton, was the chief guest on the final day, presenting the special awards alongside BASL President Dian Gomes. The five-day event showcased a high standard of boxing with intense, fast-paced matches, setting a competitive tone for the new season.

Angelo and Nirushika Jayathissa, both 19, were recognised for their exceptional technique and ring craft, earning the Best Boxer titles in the men’s and women’s categories, respectively. Angelo, a two-time Stubbs Shield silver medallist, demonstrated remarkable skill, winning all his bouts with ease. His performance in the featherweight (under 57kg) final was particularly notable, where he knocked out Chandrapala from Air Force with a perfectly timed right hook in the final round.

Nirushika, representing Uphill BC and a gold medallist at the Youth Championships 2023, impressed the judges despite having only one year of boxing experience. She outpointed seasoned soldier Virajini in the featherweight (under 57kg) category, winning by unanimous decision.

For the first time in Sri Lankan boxing history, cash awards were given to men and women Best Boxers of the event.

The tournament also recognised other notable performances. Army’s Adhikari was awarded the Best Loser’s award after a close 3:2 decision loss in the welterweight (under 67kg) bout against MM Paris of St. Sylvester’s BC. In the women’s category, 19-year-old Sanduni Imesha of Air Force, a product of Naradeniya CC, Kamburupitiya, and a gold medallist at the Youth Girls meet, was named Best Loser for her valiant effort in the light flyweight (under 50kg) final against Devindi from Hanwella Rajasinghe BC.

In terms of team achievements, Army Archers men’s and Army women’s teams topped the medals tally with four golds each. St. Sylvester’s BC secured three gold medals, while Army Red, Army Blue, and other Army teams collectively won ten golds in the 13-weight men’s competition. The Air Force women’s team also performed strongly, finishing second overall with three gold medals.

Final results

MEN

Minimum Weight (46-48kg):PKU Silva (SL Army Archers) beat AAN de Silva (West Coast BC) WP 5:0

Fly Weight (48-51kg):DDM Sampath (SL Army Archers) beat SPWGC Rathnasiri (SL Navy Bismark) WP 5:0

Bantam Weight (51-54kg):SPBR Premalal (SL Army Blue) beat KWSMA Dasunpriya (SL Army Archers) WP 3:2

Feather Weight (54-57kg):SPP Angelo (St Sylvester’s BC) beat BMM Chandrapala (SL Air Force) KO R3

Light Weight (57-60kg):RM Pushpakumara (SL Army Archers) beat HMGCN Dissanayake (SL Army Red) WP 3:2

Light Welter Weight (60-63.5kg):TDD Upawansha (SL Army) beat AGVH Jayasinghe (St Sylvester’s BC) WP 4:1

Welter Weight (63.5-67kg):MM Paris (St Sylvester’s BC) beat AADD Adhikari (SL Army Red) WP 3:2

Light Middle Weight (67-71kg):AACS Kumara (SL Army Archers) beat V Ratheesh (Hanwella Rajasinghe BC) RSC R1

Middle Weight (71-75kg):YM Usaith (St Sylvester’s BC) beat LGM Bandara (SL Navy Bismark) RSC R1

Light Heavy Weight (75-80kg):HMMM Herath (SL Army) beat PA Samarasinghe (SL Navy Bismark) RSC R1

Cruiser Weight (80-86kg):MDK Silva (Back2Fit) beat JMIPP Kumara (SL Army Red) WP 4:1

Heavy Weight (86-92kg):WPSK Ranasinghe (SL Army Red) beat R Deshmikanth (Omega Line) RSC R1

Super Heavy Weight (92+kg):HMCT Weerakoon (SL Army Blue) beat KG Pitampe (Hanwella Rajasinghe BC) RSC-I R1

WOMEN

Minimum Weight (45-48Wkg):AGHD Premasiri (SL Air Force) beat EMSC Chandrasiri (Jayawardenapura University) RSC R1

Light Fly Weight (48-50kg):MDK Devindi (Hanwella Rajasinghe BC) beat NWAS Imesha (SL Air Force) WP 5:0

Fly Weight (50-52kg):DMKT Dissanayaka (SL Air Force) beat WAW Nawodya (Sivali BC) RSC R1

Bantam Weight (52-54kg):EMKH Ekanayaka (SL Air Force) beat KAHS Dilshani (SL Army) RSC R1

Feather Weight (54-57kg):RDNP Jayathissa (Uphill) beat PHI Virajani (SLA) WP 5:0

Light Weight (57-60kg):S Rajkumar (BA) beat SIR Pathiraja (Hemamali BC) WP 5:0

Light Welter Weight (60-63kg):JDN Rathnasiri (Back2Fit) beat LDS Silva (SL Army) ABD R1

Welter Weight (63-66kg):PADR Sanjana (SL Navy) beat LDD Vimarshana (SL Army Red) WP 5:0

Light Middle Weight (66-70kg):JMR Rasanjali (SL Army) beat UGNH Jayathissa (University Peradeniya) RSC R1

Middle Weight (70-75kg):NMMS Narasinghe (SL Army) beat EMI Bandara (Veyangoda BC) RSC R2

Heavy Weight (81+kg):HADP Wathsala (SL Army) beat MADDS Kulasinghe (SL Army Blue) RSC R1

(ABD- Abandon, KO Knockout, Rn- Round number, RSC- Referee Stops Contest, RSC-I – Referee Stops Contest – Injury,  WP- Win on points.)