A harsh reality behind the bronze curtain

17 of 33-strong SL squad bow out before business end of ASBC Asian U-22 and Youth Boxing Meet  

Dewmi Sanjana is disappointed after her loss to India’s Himanshi

Umayanga Mihiran celebrating with coaches Sajeewa Dassanayaka, 
Sameera Karunaratne and Amila Tissera

By Allaam Ousman

As the ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships took a break in Colombo yesterday, Sri Lanka’s 33-member squad is beginning to feel the heat of international competition. 

With 17 boxers already eliminated — 11 in the medal round — the tournament has become a harsh but necessary barometre of where Sri Lanka stands on the regional stage. Despite these setbacks, a few standout performances and the prospect of medals still offer hope for the hosts.

With the Championships entering its final stages, Sri Lanka’s medal count has climbed to an unprecedented 21, including 11 confirmed bronze medals. Yet behind this apparent triumph lies a stark truth: the medals tell only one side of the story.

Heading into the tournament, BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara confidently predicted 10 medals. The luck of the draw favoured Sri Lanka with 16 directly entering the semi-finals. But Sri Lanka remains winless in all semi-final bouts thus far.

So, what does this unprecedented medal haul really signify?

The brutal truth is that most Sri Lankan boxers were found wanting when faced with the elite of Asia. Many lacked basic skills — failing to jab, relying on wild hooks and uppercuts, and freezing against better-drilled opponents from Kazakhstan, India, and Vietnam. The contrast in class was unmistakable.

One senior coach involved with the squad, noted that many of the boxers were in good physical shape, and efforts were made to prepare them psychologically for the pressures of the big stage. 

“We can’t start from the basics at this level,” he said. “Our job is to make sure they’re ring-ready and sharp in their execution.”

The performances of the Women’s team, apart from the spirited displays of the Fernando twins Sachini and Yashini, were disappointing. While some showed determination, others appeared out of their depth, suggesting that many simply filled up the numbers.

Army’s Nethmi Nishadi Perera was outclassed by India’s Mahi Siwach and Captain Sachini Fernando was tactically dismantled by Vietnam’s Nguyen. Yashini Fernando showed resilience against a tough Kazakh opponent, but even her valiant effort wasn’t enough.

It’s easy to celebrate a record medal count and host nation glory. But unless this performance is critically assessed, we risk mistaking quantity for quality. These medals, should not mask the truth that Sri Lanka’s boxing future teeters on shaky ground.

A real victory would be recognising this hard truth, investing in grassroots coaching, upgrading technical training, and exposing our boxers to more international exposure. Until then, we must temper our celebration with introspection — for true progress lies not in hollow triumphs but in learning from defeat.

In the Under-22 Men’s division, Sri Lanka’s boxers faced stiff competition from dominant boxing nations like Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, and India. Fighters such as Thenuwan Meegalla, Heshan Jayasinghe, Malsha Bandara, and Malith Bandara bowed out early, unable to match the speed, technique, and power of their Central Asian opponents.

The Women’s team also struggled to assert itself, with Nethmi Perera, Sachini, Yashini, Sandeepani, Kajinthini, and Keerthana all losing to stronger opponents from India, Vietnam, and Kazakhstan. 

Their exits underscore the continuing challenge Sri Lanka faces in closing the gap in women’s boxing, where depth and international experience are still lacking

Several others, unfortunately, looked completely out of their depth. “It’s harsh, but it’s true. We cannot send kids to the wolves just to fill the roster,” said an observer.

In the Youth Men’s division, both Nilusha Thathsara and Vidusha Hettiarachchi were outboxed by superior Kazakh opponents. 

Murajudeen, a boxer with high expectations surrounding him, lost to an Indian, marking another underwhelming performance in his growing list of international outings. 

“We’ve always known his potential,” one coach admitted, “but he just didn’t bring the fire. There was no urgency, no rhythm.” His early exit left many in the camp frustrated, especially given the expectations placed on his shoulders.
Sarmeen Azhar, too, exited early after a loss to Tajikistan.

Youth Women saw Pavani Muthugala, Sabrina Rahim and Sasenka Nanayakkara eliminated, though Sabrina’s effort against Kazakhstan was praised for its heart and determination. 

Amid these losses, a handful of boxers have carried the Sri Lankan flag forward with pride. In the Under-22 Men’s division, Umayanga Mihiran delivered a strong showing against Tajikistan, Ashen Karunanayaka outpointed Malaysia, Deshan Jayasundara beat Polynesia (Tahiti), and Usaith Yazmin outpointed a Saudi Arabian opponent. 

These victories reflect technical preparation, confidence, and a step up in ring IQ.

However, Muditha Paris was stopped by a Saudi opponent, revealing once again the fine margins at this level.

Two names stood tall in the youth Men’s category - Sathsara Warnakulasooriya and Hansitha Jayathissa. The former registered a gritty win over Kyrgyzstan, showcasing both composure and ring craft before falling in the semifinals. 

Jayathissa, meanwhile, secured a significant quarter-final victory over Saudi Arabia, reaching the semifinal stage and giving Sri Lanka rare back-to-back wins in this age group.

Their performances not only demonstrate individual quality but also highlight the potential lying in Sri Lanka’s younger pool - if nurtured properly with consistent exposure and modern coaching support.

Nevertheless, the chance to earn gold on home soil is real, and team officials are optimistic. Among the Men, Mihiran and Usaith have emerged as front-runners for gold. Both national champions, they have lived up to expectations, blending technical sharpness with physical conditioning. 

Mihiran’s calm demeanour in the ring and precise counters have impressed coaches, while Usaith - already known for his slick southpaw style and punching power - looks like a complete package. Jayasundara remains a strong medal hope as well. His earlier victory and overall ring awareness suggest he has the composure needed to go deep. If he can hold his nerve, a podium finish is within reach. Deshan’s performance underscored what’s possible when raw talent is backed by disciplined preparation.

The Championships have provided a critical learning curve - not just for the boxers but also for selectors and coaching staff. With 17 out of 33 boxers exiting before the final round, it’s clear that preparation timelines, international exposure, and athlete development pipelines need urgent attention.

Some coaches privately voiced concern over last-minute selections and insufficient sparring leading into the event. “We had talent, but talent needs sharpening,” one senior official commented. 

There’s a consensus that while Sri Lanka’s boxers are passionate and willing, they are still catching up in areas like tactical flexibility, endurance, and fight intelligence - skills only honed through continuous international experience.

Despite the early exits, the tournament has offered a clear picture of where Sri Lanka stands - and where it needs to go. The emergence of promising fighters like Mihiran, Usaith, Deshan, Warnakulasooriya and Jayathissa gives cause for cautious optimism.

With the finals approaching and a handful of golden medals within reach, Sri Lanka has a chance to close the tournament on a high. More importantly, this championship should serve as a turning point - one that prompts boxing authorities to invest in long-term planning, deeper technical training and sustained international exposure for the country’s pugilistic future.

Thenuwan Meegalla trading blows with Kazakhstan’s Anorbayev Zhasurbek