Dinesh and Iresha adjudged best boxers in one-time kingdom | Sunday Observer

Dinesh and Iresha adjudged best boxers in one-time kingdom

19 December, 2021
Best Boxers of the meet Dinesh Kumara (left) and Iresha Madushani
Best Boxers of the meet Dinesh Kumara (left) and Iresha Madushani

Dinesh Kumara and Iresha Madushani were adjudged the Best Boxers at the North Central Province Boxing Tournament at the National Sports Complex in Gallella, Polonnaruwa as the once ancient kingdom showcase modern fighting on Monday.

This was held as part of the 46th edition of the National Sports Festival which was interrupted last year because of the COVID-19 outbreak.

“We wanted to complete boxing, football and athletics activities for the benefit of the children. Otherwise they would be denied an opportunity of being rewarded for their talent and skills. Boxing and weightlifting has always brought the North Central Province (NCP) a rich harvest of medals at the National Sports Festival,” said TC Hewa, the District Sports Officer of Polonnaruwa who took the initiative to conduct the provincial boxing competition.

Leading boxing coach Dharshana Bandaranayake, Sports Officer of Department of Sports at NCP left no stone unturned to ensure the success of the event.

Kumara won the welter weight (69kg) final when he outpointed Sampath ‘Tyson’ Perera in a closely contested bout. Kumara, 30, displayed superb technique and ring-craft by counter punching the aggressive Perera who attempted to stun his rival with power blows.

Madushani Rajapakse, 28, returning to the ring after a major surgery looked hungry and fighting fit to win a unanimous decision displaying superior skills in the women’s light weight (60kg) contest against WP Sadupama.

Southpaw Ashen Bandara also scored an impressive win against Udara Sampath from Anuradhapura in the light heavy weight (81kg) final. The women’s light fly weight (48kg) final was closely contested with DMDP Dissanayake winning a split decision against RPRM Kumarasiri as they fought toe-to-toe from the opening bell. RHAJ Ratnaweera won the middle weight (75kg) final with WHND Madusanka’s corner throwing in the towel early in the bout. WMN Dilhani won the women’s fly weight (48kg) bout with a first round stoppage against RDEH Chandrasena while KGNS Kahatapitiya won by decision against KGK Iresha Kulasooriya in the women’s bantam weight (51kg) final.

There were three uncontested winners – RADJ. Ranasinghe, MA Chandrarathna and GAN Hansani while Amith Kumara and HACP Kumara received walk-overs.

 

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