Sri Lanka’s best boxers as Mihiran and Prasanna also won their semi-finals in the Negombo Beach
The Layton Cup Boxing Tournament started in the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo, Sri Lanka but after three competition days, the event moved to the famous Negombo Beach.
The Layton Cup Boxing Tournament is one of the traditional competitions in Sri Lanka and it is also a selection event for the upcoming ASBC Asian Elite Boxing Championships.
Nearly 150 female and male boxers are participating at the Layton Cup in Sri Lanka and only the best ones remained in actions after the fourth competition day. Boxers from the Navy, Army, Air Force, Police and several boxing clubs from all over the country are participating in the Layton Cup.
The Boxing Association of Sri Lanka plans to increase the popularity of the sport in their homeland with boxing shows and new marketing actions. The newly elected President of Sri Lanka Boxing Mr. Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara issued the country’s long term strategic plans to reach the level of the stronger Asian nations.
H.K.N.N. Perera outpointed her opponent in the women’s minimumweight (48kg) and she reached the finals of the Layton Cup. The next top Sri Lankan female boxer, H.S. Priyadarshani was also dominant in her semi-final contest and she will now face P.M. Widanagamage for the title of the flyweight (52kg).
The minimumweight (48kg) delivered strong Commonwealth Games and Asian Boxing Championships results for the Sri Lankans in the past and their new flag bearer, Police’s T.H.N Jinadasa won his next contest and he will now meet for the title Back2Fits’ D.H. Tissaaratchy in the Negombo Beach.
Sri Lanka’s No.1, Umayanga Mihiran won two important bouts in the 2nd World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event in Bangkok and he was near to qualify for the Paris Olympics. The 21-year-old talent is not only the favourite at the men’s flyweight (51kg) but he subdued his experienced opponent, K.A.S.K. Abeygunawardana in the semi-final.
Sri Lanka’s next top elite boxer, the 25-year-old Podi Arachchige Rukmal Prasanna had to meet in the fourth competition day with his main national rival, Air Force’s Kuda Vithanage Lasindu Eranda who has already professional experience as well. The Commonwealth Games quarter-finalist Prasanna made the show today and he eliminated his top opponent at the men’s featherweight (57kg).
Navy’s H.A.H.D. Hettiarachchi eliminated the Seed No.1, P.S.P.S Siriwardana in the semi-finals of the men’s light welterweight (63.5kg) as one of the surprises of the session. I.P.D.C. Udayakumara, the winner of the Seychelles International Tournament, advanced to the finals of the men’s light middleweight (71kg) after stopping W.D.K. Jayasinghe.
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