Army BC regains Clifford Cup title after eight years

By M. Shamil Amit

The 93rd Men & Women Clifford Cup Boxing Championship concluded at the Royal College MAS Arena boxing ring with Army BC regained the men’s title after a lapse of eight years, while MAS Unichela BC retained the women’s title.

Army BC’s last title win was in the year 2011 and this time out they had six of their top boxers along with two second string boxers entering the final from which they won six gold medals a silver and a bronze medal.

MAS Unichela BC on the other hand swept the boards in the women’s championship as they bagged seven gold medals and a silver medal from the ten weight categories that were conducted, to take home the Dian Gomes Trophy.

The two champion teams apart from bagging the titles had the honour of producing the best boxers with M.P.G. Sanjeewa Nuwan, adjudged the most scientific boxer at the 93rd Boxing Nationals last year, in the men’s and A.A.K. Nilimni in the women’s while W.A. Ishanka Sanjaya of MAS Slimiline BC and H.S. Priyadharshani of Army were adjudged the best losers. Priyadharshani in fact was adjudged the best loser at last year's championship.

Dian Gomes, President of the Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka, Member of AIBA and ASBC Women’s Commission and Executive Committee Member Asian Boxing Confederation graced the occasion as chief guest and gave away the trophies and awards.

Results:

Women:

Light Flyweight 48kg – R.K.A.A. Ranasinghe (MAS Unichela) beat K.K.I.T. Perera (Air Force); Flyweight 51kg – A.A.K. Nilmini (MAS Unichela) beat H.S. Priyadharshani (Army);

Bantamweight 54kg – H.N.S. Thalgaspitiya (MAS Unichela) beat M.P.S. Cooray (Air Force); Featherweight 57kg – K.A.D. Dharmatileke (MAS Unichela) beat L.G. Chandrika (Army);

Lightweight 60kg – K.A.K. Hansika (MAS Unichela) beat S.G.S. Bandara (MAS Thurulie);

Light Welterweight 64kg – W.W.A.K. Thiwanka (Air Force) beat Heshani Perera (MAS Thurulie);

Welterweight 69kg – H.W.K.G.L. Udayangani (MAS Unichela) beat S.H.K. Perera (Police); Middleweight 75kg – P.U. Jayasuriya (MAS Unichela) beat I.W.S.S. Chandrasekera (MAS Unichela); Heavyweight 81kg – G.D.M.H. Jayadeva (MAS Unichela) beat P.C.K. Jayasekera (MAS Casualine); Super Heavyweight Over 81kg – G.A.K.P. Premasiri (MAS Casualine) beat R.S. Dilini (Air Force).

Men:

Light Flyweight 49kg – M.P.G. Sanjeewa (Army A) beat W.A. Ishanka Sanjaya (MAS Slimline); Flyweight 52kg – A.M.G.I. Bandara (Navy A) beat K.V.L. Eranda (MAS Slimline);

Bantamweight 56kg – W.R.T. Weerakkody (Army A) beat U.N.K. Amarawansha (MAS Slimline); Lightweight 60kg – N.B.A.J. Vimukthi Perera (Army A) beat A.M.P.S. Adikari (Navy A); Light Welterweight 64kg – P.V.D.D. Saparamadu (MAS Slimline) beat R.W.M.S.B. Rajakaruna (Army A); Welterweight 69kg – H.N.M. Hettiarachchi (MAS Slimline) beat A.K.C. Madusanka (Army Blue); Middleweight 75kg – P.D.D. Maduranga (Army A) beat V. Nicholas (Army B);

Light Heavyweight 81kg – G.A.N. Fernando (Navy A) beat M.E.M. Mudannayake (Army B); Heavyweight 91kg – K.M.C.K. Karunanayake (Navy A) beat I.D.S.S. Mudannayake (Army A); Super Heavyweight Over 91kg – A.R.B.K. Tilekeratne (Army A) beat A.W. Hettige (Navy A)