Outstanding individual performances marked a marathon day of competition in the preliminary rounds of the 105th Stubbs Shield Boxing Championship at the Royal MAS Arena on Saturday.
Part of the All Island National School Games organised by the Education Ministry in collaboration with the Schools Boxing Association, the championship features nearly 500 boxers from 132 schools, competing across 36 weight classes in three age divisions.
Defending champions St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy, led by Boxing Association of Sri Lanka Novices Best Boxer S.P.P. Angelo showcased dominance as Angelo (Senior Boy 52kg) forced D.S.S. Mendaka of Pilimathalawa Central College to concede in the second round.
Other standout performances included Sri Lanka junior international Aazil Murajudeen (60kg) of Zahira College, Colombo, and N.A. Ahmed (52kg) of Royal College, Colombo, both winning by technical knockouts within the first round.
Mahanama College, Colombo, and S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, emerged as strong contenders, with each school producing impressive victories while suffering a few upsets.
In the Youth Girls division, T.G.M.S.P. Thiththagalla (54kg) of Hemamali Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy, thrilled the crowd with a hard-fought win over S.H.H.E. Fernando of Vihara Mahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda.
The competition, which included 96 bouts on Saturday, continues with more action as boxers vie for top honors.
The tournament, part of the All Island National School Games organised by the Education Ministry in association with the Schools Boxing Association, features nearly 500 boxers from 132 schools competing in 36 weight classes across three age divisions.
Angelo produced a superb display of technique to force his rival corner to throw in the towel in round two.
Sri Lanka junior international Aazil Murajudeen (60kg) of Zahira College, Colombo, and N.A. Ahmed (52kg) of Royal College, Colombo demolished their rivals in the Youth Boy category with powerful combinations within the first round.
Murajudeen pounced M.U.M. Madhushanka of Udagama M.V., Balangoda into submission while Ahmed overwhelmed M.Y Thahir of Wesley College with stunning blows.
W.A.J Dhananjaya of Vidyarathna University College, Horana kept their hopes alive when he earned a unanimous decision against M. Zaid of Zahira College, Colombo in the Junior Boy 48kg weight.
Mahanama College, Colombo had another busy day during the marathon session of 96 preliminary round bouts winning three and losing one.
W.T.L.M. Abeysekera (Junior Boy 46kg), R.I.R Perera (Junior Boy 50kg), K.A.V.S. Karavita (Junior Boy 54kg) and H.S Nambuwasam (Youth Boy49kg) while W.G.M. Yensitha (Junior Boy) 48kg) lost to B.H.M.S.K. Kulathunga of Sri Pragnaratne Central College, Geli Oya.
S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia also emerged as a strong contender to vie for the championship winning three out five contests but, were upset when W.T.R. Dias of Sri Sumana Saman M.V., Ratnapura won a unanimous points decision against gangly Sri Lanka junior international R.A.A.M. Ranasinghe (Youth Boy 60kg).
A.A.N. de Silva (Senior Boy 49kg), W.M.C.M.B.H. Boyagane (Junior Boys 54kg), and W.K.H.M. Wijesinghe (Youth Boy 49kg) notched impressive victories on the third day of the competition.
In the Youth Girls category, T.G.M.S.P. Thiththagalla (54kg) of Hemamali Balika Vidyalaya, Kandy was most impressive winning a hard fought duel against S.H.H.E. Fernando of Vihara Mahadevi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda.