Army men, Air Force women boxers reign supreme

The triumphant Army boxers

 The champion Air Force women boxers

By Allaam Ousman

Army’s men and Air Force Kfir women emerged overall champions at the 95th Clifford Cup Boxing Championships held at the Royal MAS Arena as the former dominated the men’s division clinching seven golds, one silver, and one bronze, while the latter was superior in the women’s segment with five golds, one silver and two bronzes.

Rising star Danil Tissaaratchi of Back 2 Fit was adjudged Best Boxer (men) while Sanduni Priyadarshani of the Army was the Best Boxer in the women’s segment.

Danil underlined his growing reputation as Sri Lanka’s next big hope in boxing when he floored his long-time rival Abeygunawardena of the Army in a stunning third-round stoppage. 

The orthodox soldier’s awkward style initially frustrated Danil, who lost the opening round. However, the southpaw regained composure after the interval, cutting the distance and connecting with crisp right crosses and left jabs to take the second round convincingly.

In the decisive round, Danil unleashed a series of powerful lefts, forcing his rival into eight standing counts before delivering a vicious right hook that sent his opponent sprawling onto the canvas — sealing a memorable technical knockout victory. In the women’s final, Priyadarshani overcame the height and reach advantage of Air Force’s Ishara Thushari Perera to win by a split decision. Priyadarshani relentlessly pressed forward, landing solid combinations, while the defensive Ishara relied on counterpunches that failed to trouble the aggressive soldier.

The best fight of the finals was the Bantamweight clash between Army’s Rukmal Prasanna and Police’s Umayanga Mihiran. In a thrilling encounter between the top two seeds, southpaw Prasanna took the fight to Mihiran, who struggled to find his rhythm early on. Both boxers displayed superb technical skill and ring-craft, exchanging blow for blow in a pulsating contest that kept spectators on edge. Prasanna ultimately prevailed via a 3-2 split decision.

Sri Lanka’s leading woman boxer Keshani Hansika demonstrated her class against a spirited Wirajini of the Army, controlling the fight from the centre of the ring with sharp, clean punches. Veteran Nadeeka Ranasinghe also showcased her experience, dominating Army’s Nethmi Perera in a one-sided lightweight contest.

In another standout performance, Air Force’s Kaluarachchi was in devastating form against Asian Under-22 medallist Narasinghe, battering her opponent with relentless combinations until the referee stepped in to halt the contest.

Final Results 

Women 
Light Fly (45-48kg): R.A.N. Pushpakumari (Vidyarathana SC) beat H.K.N.N. Perera (Army)
Fly Weight (48-51kg): H.S. Priyadarshani (Army) beat K.K.I. Perera (Air Force)
Bantam Weight (51-54kg): M.G.M.T. Dasunika (Army) beat (Army Red)
Feather Weight (54-57kg): K.A.K. Hansika (Vidyarathana) beat P.H.I. T Wirajani (Air Force)
Light Weight (57-60kg): L.I.N. Malshani (Air Force) beat R.M.S.S. Rathnayake (Navy)
Welter Weight (60-65kg): M.P.S.S. Cooray (Air Force) beat T.L.B.N. Sewwandi (Vidyarathana)
Light Middle Weight (65-70kg): W.W.A.K. Thiwanka (Air Force) beat Y.G.A.M. Amarathunga (Army)
Middle Weight (70-75kg): P.A.H.C. Pasyala (Air Force) beat P.G.A. Samanmalee (Dinudu BC)
Light Heavy Weight (75-80kg): K.A.G.N. Kaluarachchi (Air Force) beat N.M.M.S. Narasinghe (Army)
Heavy Weight (80+kg): J.A.S.I. Jayasinghe (Police) beat H.A.D.C. Wathsala (Army)
MEN
Fly Weight (47-50kg): D.H. Thisaaratchi (Back 2 Fit) beat K.A.S.K. Abeygunawardana (Army)
Bantam Weight (50-55kg): P.A.R. Prasanna (Army) beat G.K.P.U. Mihiran (Police)
Light Weight (55-60kg): R.M.P.K.K. Rasnayake (Army) beat R.M.M. Bandara (Army Red)
Welter Weight (60-65kg) K.G. Pathmasiri (Army) beat R.A.D. Madushanka (Police)
Light Middle Weight (65-70kg): I.P.D.C. Udayakumara (Air Force) beat R.M.S.K. Ratnayake (Air Force)
Middle Weight (70-75kg): Y.M. Usaith (St. Sylvester’s BC) beat R.G.U.S. Rupassara (Army)
Light Heavy Weight (75-80kg) J.M.I.P. Kumara (Army) beat W.A.M. Abeyrathna (Air Force)
Cruiser Weight (80-8Mkg): Y.S.P. Sudamma (Army) beat G.W.C. de Silva (Air Force)
Heavy Weight (85-90kg): P.A.R.S. Rupasinghe (Army) beat S.A.P. Suriyapadma (Army)
Super Heavy Weight (90+kg): U.A. Avishka (Army) beat M.W.M. Meegasthenna (Air Force)