The South Asian Games winner Sandakelum returned with a gold medal at the Sri Lankan National Championships
The first gold medallists are revealed at the 97th edition of the Sri Lankan National Championships at the ocean-side urban park, Galle Face Green in Colombo on Day3. Sri Lanka’s lone South Asian Games winner from 2019, Wanni Arachchige Rumesh Sandakelum returned with a gold medal at the cruiserweight (86kg).
There are neutral Referees & Judges in the 97th Sri Lankan National Championships from South Korea, Ireland, Indonesia and Kazakhstan to arrange the fair play in the competition.
The Sri Lankan National Championships are organised by the Tri Forces and Police and endorsed by the Sri Lanka Tourism Bureau, promises to be more than just a competition, it is a celebration of sports tourism and a further step to promote boxing in the island.
Vidyarathna Sports Club’s Asian Championships competitor R.A. Nadeeka Pushpakumari is one of the most experienced female national team members in Sri Lanka and she stopped A.G.H.D. Premasiri at the women’s minimumweight (48kg) semi-final once again which means that she can box for the gold medal H.K.N.N. Perera.
Keshani Hansika will turn 34 this year but she is top shape and Sri Lanka’s best female boxer has strong expectations in the upcoming international events. She dominated her final bout at the women’s featherweight (57kg) against P.H.I. Wiragini and she remained on the top of the podium in Sri Lanka.
Air Force’s Muthuthanthri P.S. Sajeewani Cooray was fresh enough at the women’s lightweight (60kg) final against M.G.M.T. Dhanusika. Thy met in the final at the recent Clifford Cup which bout was a close one but Cooray looked better on their re-match and she earned her next national title.
The Layton Cup winner Hasitha Jinadasa was not enough shape in the semi-finals of the men’s minimumweight (48kg) and he suffered a loss to H.M.L.P. Jayawardhana. The next finalist in this weight category will be the seed No.1, D.H. Thisararachchi which means that two boxers will meet once again after the Clifford Cup.
The Asian Championships bronze medallist Umayanga Mihiran advanced to the finals of the men’s flyweight (51kg) following his easy success over S.I. Ranmal on Day3. The surprise boxer of the men’s bantamweight (54kg), G.J.K.R.J. Kumara won his next fight as well and he marched to the title bout.
Sri Lanka’s next ace, the Commonwealth Games quarter-finalist Rukmal Prasanna was too strong for his semi-final opponent, L.D. Darshanamela and he needs only one further step to win his next national gold medal at the featherweight (57kg). R.M.P.K.K. Rasnayaka and E.W.A. Sadaruwan will meet for the title of the strong men’s lightweight (60kg) in Colombo.
The South Asian Games winner Wanni Arachchige Rumesh Sandakelum of Army is back on track and he claimed the title of the cruiserweight (86kg) after beating W.A.M.P. Wariyapperuma unanimously.
P.A. Rukman Sanjeewa Rupasinghe won the close heavyweight (92kg) final while Air Force’s M.W.M.M. Meegasthenna made a revenge to Army’s U. Amitha Avishka at the super heavyweight (+92kg) after his previous loss.
The PEO Sports is the official broadcaster of the 97th Sri Lankan National Boxing Championships as in the last Clifford Cup.
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