Sports

Piyal and Sanduni adjudged best boxers

Published

1 year ago

2025/01/28

Sahan Weerasooriya

Army team with their medals

Army shine bright at 97th National Boxing Championships

The 97th National Boxing Championships, organised by the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL), marked a historic milestone as it was held for the first time at the iconic outdoor venue of Galle Face Green. The event witnessed remarkable performances from seasoned campaigners and emerging talents, with Army boxers Piyal Dharmasena and Sanduni Priyadarshani clinching the prestigious Best Boxer awards.

Southpaw Piyal Dharmasena, a 34-year-old veteran with a string of international accolades, displayed technical brilliance to claim his fourth national title. In the Bantamweight (under 54kg) final, he delivered a knockout victory against 24-year-old Ravindu Jayanath Kumara of Vidyarathena SC. Dharmasena’s calculated aggression culminated in a decisive right hook, securing the Sir Henry Manning Challenge Cup for the Most Scientific Boxer of the Nationals.

On the women’s side, Sanduni Priyadarshani, 33, continued her stellar form, defeating 20-year-old Yashini Fernando in the Flyweight (under 52kg) final. Priyadarshani’s tactical superiority and precision strikes led to a referee-stopped contest in the final moments of the bout.

The championship also celebrated emerging talents, with Daniel Thisaraarachchi of Back2Fit and Yazmin Usaith of St. Sylvester’s College BC securing their maiden national titles in the men’s under 48kg and 75kg categories, respectively.

Vidyarathena SC’s Nadeeka Ranasinghe, a two-time Best Boxer at the Nationals, showcased her mastery to claim the minimum weight (under 48kg) title, earning the Dian Gomes Challenge Trophy for the Most Outstanding Women Boxer of the Year.

However, the event was not without controversy. Sri Lanka’s top male boxer, Umayanga Mihiran of Police, received the Eddie Gray Memorial Challenge Cup for his achievements but faced disqualification in the Flyweight (under 51kg) final for striking his opponent while he was down, resulting in a rare and dramatic end to his contest.

Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara, President of BASL, expressed his pride in the event, emphasizing its significance as a stepping stone toward the 2028 Olympics. “This tournament is something special, something unforgettable. It symbolises the dedication and unity that will drive us forward,” he stated, highlighting Sri Lanka’s recent successes, including medal wins in Seychelles and Taipei, and Sri Lanka’s first Asian medal in 37 years.

Chief Guest Shemal Fernando, representing the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, commended the athletes and organisers for their efforts. “Boxing combines physical endurance, strategic thinking, and mental resilience. These qualities transcend the ring, shaping individuals into disciplined and focused achievers,” he remarked, pledging the Ministry’s full support for expanding boxing across the nation.

“To the boxers who have triumphed tonight, you embody perseverance and dedication. Your journey has been far from easy, and each punch thrown reflects the countless hours of training and sacrifice. To the coaches, you are the architects of these athletes’ success, providing the guidance and encouragement that turn potential into achievement,” he added.

: Piyal Dharmasena

: Sanduni Priyadharshani

The championship, endorsed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau and broadcast by PEO Sports, was a testament to the growing prominence of sports tourism in the country. With neutral referees and judges from South Korea, Ireland, Indonesia, and Kazakhstan ensuring transparency, the event set a high standard for future tournaments.

PEO Sports was the official broadcaster of the championship providing live coverage during the four days from January 23 to 26.

List of winners:

Men’s

Minimum (46-48kg): DH Thisaraarachchi (Back2Fit)

Fly (48-51kg): KASK Abeygunawardana (SL Army)

Bantam (51-54kg): RMP Dharmasena (SL Army)

Feather (54-57kg): PAR Prasanna (SL Army)

Light (57-60kg): RMPKK Rasnayaka (SL Army)

Light Welter (60-63.5kg): NK Padmakumara (SL Army Red)

Welter (63.5-67kg): KG Pathmasiri (SL Army)

Light Middle (67-71kg): PMLL Chandrabandara (SL Army)

Middle (71-75kg): YM Usaith (St. Sylvester’s College BC)

Light Heavy: (75-80kg) HWGP Rathnasiri (SL Police)

Cruiser (80-86kg): WAR Sandakelum (SL Army Red)

Heavy (86-92kg): PARS Roopasingha (SL Army)

Super Heavy (92+kg) MWMM Meegasthenne (SL Air Force)

Women’s

Minimum (45-48kg) RAN Pushpakumari (Vidyarathena SC)

Light Fly (48-50kg): SHSR Fernando (Independent)

Fly (50-52kg): HS Priyadarshani (SL Army)

Bantam (52-54kg): LIN Malshani (SL Air Force Kfir)

Feather (54-57kg): KAK Hansika (Vidyarathena SC)

Light (57-60kg): MPSS Cooray (SL Air Force Kfir)

Light Welter (60-63kg): WWAK THiwanka (SL Air Force Kfir)

Welter (63-66kg): YGAM Amarathunga (SL Army)

Light Middle (66-70kg): PAHC Pasyala (SL Air Force Kfir)

Middle (70-75kg): KAGN Kaluarachchi (SL Air Force Kfir)

Light Heavy (75-81kg): WGK Lalani (Sivali BC)

Heavy (81+Wkg): HADC Wathsala (SL Army)

All News Advertisement

Latest News

Ranaweera’s four-for leads Sri Lanka to tense win over West Indies

Published

16 mins ago

2026/02/21

Priyan

Inoka Ranaweera returned figures of 4 for 44 [Cricinfo]

Sri Lanka took a 1-0 lead in the ODI series with a tense ten-run win over West Indies, thanks largely to a match-defining performance from Inoka Ranaweera.

After being asked to bat, Sri Lanka posted 240 for 6, built on half-centuries from Hasini Perera (61 off 86) and Harshitha Samarawickrema (66 off 105). Captain Chamari Athapaththu made 27, while useful middle-order contributions from Nilakshika Silva and Kavisha Dilhari kept the innings moving at a controlled rate. A late cameo from Dewmi Vihanga, who struck 14 off six balls, ensured Sri Lanka pushed towards a competitive total in St George’s in Grenada.

But it was Ranaweera who tilted the contest. The experienced left-arm spinner returned figures of 4 for 44 from her ten overs. She removed the No. 3 Shemaine Campbelle cheaply, dismissed Chinelle Henry soon after, and then returned to break the dangerous stand of 89 between Stefanie Taylor and Jannillea Glasgow in the 40th over, just as West Indies were threatening to surge ahead. Ranaweera also accounted for Shawnisha Hector at the death.

Taylor’s 66 off 83 balls and Glasgow’s 50 off 67 had revived West Indies from early setbacks, and with Aaliyah Alleyne in the middle, the chase remained alive deep into the game. West Indies needed 18 from the last two overs, and 12 from the last six balls. However, Sri Lanka’s spinners held firm, with Dilhari finishing with three wickets, including two in the final over, to complement Ranaweera’s starring role.

West Indies were eventually bowled out for 230 in 49.4 overs. Sri Lanka have now won four of their last five ODIs against West Indies since 2017.

Brief scores:
Sri Lanka Women 240 for 6 in 50 overs (Harshitha Samarawickrama 66, Hasini Perera 61; Hayley Matthews 2-46, Karishma Ramharak 2-57) beat West Indies Women 230 in 49.4 overs (Stefanie Taylor 66, Jannillea Glasgow 50; Inoka Ranaweera 4-44, Kavish Dilhari 3-49) by ten runs

[Cricinfo]

Sports

Sharada, Kithma join to trouble Richmond

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/21

Thilina Walpola

Left arm spinner Sharada Jayaratne took bowling honours of the day’s Under 19 cricket encounters as he took six wickets for Ananda to restrict Richmond to 168 runs in the traditional match at Ananda Mawatha.

‎Richmond were strongly placed at one stage with Risinu Rupasinghe (40) and Senuk Dulneth adding 91 runs for the first wicket. But when skipper Kithma Widanapathirana broke the stand, Richmond collapsed. Kithma and Sharada shared all ten wickets to fall.

‎In response the home team were 37 for three wickets at stumps with Vihanga Mihiranga inflicting early dammage.

‎At Darley Road, Wesley had a promising start with openers Shamma Fernando and Rasheed Nahyan putting on 58 runs for the first wicket before Nushan Perera and Sri Lanka Under 19 spinner Vigneswaran Akash shared seven wickets between them to restrict the Campbell Park team to 161 runs.

‎In reply St. Joseph’s reached 74 for no loss at stumps. The Joes amassed those runs in just 12.1 overs with Aveesha Samash hammering an unbeaten 53 in 38 balls (6x4s, 4x6s).

‎At De Soysa Stadium, Moratuwa, Mahanama posted 350 for nine wickets declared against Prince of Wales as Dulnith Sigera (74), Eshan Withanage (71n.o.) and Sineth Veerarathne (59) made half centuries.

‎For the Cambrians Nethul Anuhas took five wickets.

by Reemus Fernando

Sports

We are seeing something special in Pavan Rathnayake – Mathews

Published

6 hours ago

2026/02/21

Thilina Walpola

Former Sri Lanka captain Angelo Mathews believes the islanders have unearthed a gem in Pavan Rathnayake, backing the 23-year-old middle-order batter to scale the game’s highest peaks.

Drafted into the World Cup squad at the eleventh hour, Rathnayake has wasted little time in justifying the selectors’ leap of faith. While much of the spotlight has rightly fallen on Pathum Nissanka’s match-winning heroics, the youngster has quietly gone about his business, compiling runs with poise and a range of strokes that suggest he belongs on this stage.

Rathnayake’s inclusion was no shot in the dark. Sri Lanka’s struggles against spin had been laid bare in the lead-up to the tournament and the think tank sought a batter who could milk the tweakers rather than get tied in knots. Rathnayake ticked that box emphatically, earning praise from batting coach Vikram Rathour for the way he used his feet to get to the pitch of the ball and employed soft hands to manoeuvre the field.

Mathews, who has long advocated fast-tracking the youngster into the senior set-up, said the signs were unmistakable.

“We are seeing someone special in Pavan Rathnayake,” Mathews told Telecom Asia Sport.

“I have seen him in close quarters and what impressed me most is his temperament. If he gets a start, he will go on to get a big hundred. I rate him very highly. The manner in which he plays spin is remarkable. He can both use his feet and rock back as well. He is a huge find for Sri Lanka and the world will start talking about him as we move on,” he added.

Mathews reserved special praise for the youngster’s mental steel, a trait he believes separates the run-of-the-mill from the truly elite.

“Pavan has a cool head and is so good to watch when he is on song. He is a man of few words, but mentally a very tough bloke and that’s what separates good players from great ones. I have no doubt he can go on to become a great,” Mathews said.

Sri Lanka became the first side to book their ticket to the Super Eight stage of the T20 World Cup after a stirring win over Australia, a result that sent fans into raptures and put the former champions back in the reckoning.

They begin their Super Eight campaign on Sunday against England, returning to a contest that promises high voltage and little margin for error.

On paper, Sri Lanka appear to have most bases covered. But the injury list has thrown a spanner in the works. Eshan Malinga, Wanindu Hasaranga and Matheesha Pathirana have all been ruled out, forcing the selectors into three replacements and leaving the bowling attack short on experience at the business end.

chttps://www.telecomasia.net/