Sri Lanka’s rising kick boxing star Abdul Iqbal Mohamed Adhal lived up to his billing at the first ever professional WBC 2022 Muay Thai Championship Sri Lanka when he won the main event in the 12-bout card at the Royal MAS Arena.
Thailand’s ambassador to Sri Lanka Poj Harnpol was the chief guest.
Fighting in the light heavy weight (76kg) category, the 20-year-old former D.S. Senanayake College, Kandy student prevailed over an experienced 34-year-old martial arts campaigner Srimal Rodrigo to win the five-round contest and the WBC (World Boxing Council) belt.
Representing Iron Muay Thai Association (IMA), Adhal displayed superb ring craft and technical excellence to overcome Rodrigo with judicious kicks and punching skills. IMA coach M.H.M. Fahid says Adhal has the potential to bring glory to Sri Lanka in the international arena having represented the country at the IFMA World Muay Thai Championship in Bangkok, Thailand in December.
Boxers from Hanguranketha Muay Thai Club coached by Jamitha Bandara were outstanding winning four weight categories.
They were Kasun Gunawardena, Isuru Rathnayake, Dinesh Kumara in the men’s events, and Nimesha Kumari in the women’s competition. A bronze medallist at the 2021 IFMA World Muay Thai Championship, 19-year-old Kasun showed his class to win the 52kg weight class. Among his many accomplishments was winning a silver medal at the World Youth Muay Thai championships in Thailand in 2018.
Results:
Kasun Gunawardena (Hanguranketha Muay Thai Club) beat Janaka Pruthuvi (Muay Thai Center, Colombo)
Malaka Perera (Lion Power Top Team) beat MSI Rodrigo (Heaven Sport Academy)
Isuru Ratnayake (Hanguranketha Muay Thai Club) beat Thusan Jayawardena (Lion Power Top Team)
Miyuhi (Vanquish Muay Thai and Fitness) beat S Saraniya (Heaven Sports Academy)
Gayan Pradeep (Lion Power Top Team) beat S de Silva (Muay Thai Center, Colombo)
Dinesh Perera (Hanguranketha Muay Thai Club) beat Prizel Fernando (Muay Thai Center, Colombo
Dileesha Ranjan Lamahewa (Dragon Muay Thai Fighting School) beat MD Jayasooriya (Heaven Sport Academy)
Gayath Weerasuriya (Muay Thai Centre, Colombo) beat Chan Madushika (Lion Power Top Team)
Nimesha Kumari (Hanguranketha Muay Thai Club) beat Kethaki (Heaven Sport Academy)
Mohammed Zaid (Lion Power Top Team) beat Kavindu Dilenka Wakunugoda (Dragon Muay Thai Fighting School)
Abdul Iqbal Adhal (IMA) beat Srimal Rodrigo (Fight Soul Muay Thai Club)