Best young boxers begin residential training ahead of ASBC Asian U22 and Youth Championships

In a major step towards preparing for the upcoming ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships, the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka (BASL) has commenced a high-performance residential training camp at the Police Training School in Katukurunda. 

The camp, which runs from 18 April to 9 May, features the final 25-member national pool and 12 elite coaches and marks a significant investment in the future of Sri Lankan boxing.

The newly inaugurated, state-of-the-art boxing ring at Katukurunda — built to international standards — provides an ideal platform for Sri Lanka’s finest young boxers to train under world-class conditions. This marks the first time in over five decades that Sri Lanka will host a tournament of this magnitude, the first major international boxing event since the 1967 Asian Championships held in Colombo.

“We’re investing in the future of Sri Lankan boxing, not only for this championship but with an eye on qualifying for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games,” said BASL Spokesperson and Asian Tournament Organising Committee Chairman Tharanga Perera. “Despite being a self-funded association, the BASL is planning to provide top-level training, nutrition, and supplements to our athletes during the residential camp in preparation for this major international competition.”

The final pool of 25 boxers was selected from an initial 48-member squad following a national selection meet in February and a series of competitive sparring sessions. The BASL Selection Committee, led by former Sri Lanka youth international F.H. Abdulla Ibunu, meticulously handpicked the most promising young talents from across the island.

Heading the coaching team is BASL Coaching Commission Chairman International Boxing Association (IBA) 3-star Coach Amila Aravinda Tissera, who brings more than 30 years of coaching experience at the highest level.

Among the standout selections is Loganathan Kagenthini, a talented boxer from Vavuniya, and a rare trio of siblings — twins Sachini and Yashini Fernando, and their younger sister Hashini — all hailing from Vihara Maha Devi Balika Vidyalaya, Kiribathgoda.

BASL President Anuruddha Shanaka Bandara has played a crucial role in elevating the standard of local competitions and has overseen the successful implementation of a 1-star IBA Referee and Judge Course, aimed at raising the standard of officiating in Sri Lanka.

Former BASL President and current IBA Board Member Dian Gomes laid the groundwork for this resurgence in Sri Lankan boxing during his tenure, notably helping the country secure three Bronze medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast — a historic feat.

The ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships will take place in Colombo from 12to 23 May at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium and will also feature an International Technical Official (ITO) course and other associated activities. With over 25 nations and more than 400 athletes and officials expected to participate, Sri Lanka is preparing to take centre stage in Asian boxing once again.

Following the Bronze medal success of Umayanga Mihiran at the 2024 ASBC Asian Elite Championships in Chiang Mai, hopes are high that Sri Lanka’s next generation of boxers will deliver strong performances and continue the nation’s momentum on the international stage.

The final 25-member Sri Lanka boxing squad is as follows:

Youth

Men

48kg W.G.S.C. Warnakulasooriya (Peradeniya BC)

51kg I.N.D. Thathsara (Nalanda College)

54kg V.S. Hettiarachchi (Royal College, Colombo)

57kg A.W.A. Jayathissa (Kadugannawa National School)

60kg T.A. Murajudeen (Zahira College, Colombo)

Women

48kg Y.M.P.G. Muthugala (President’s College, Veyangoda)

52kg N.S. Rahim (St. Mary’s, Veyangoda)

54kg S.H.H.E. Fernando (Vihara Maha Devi Balika, Kiribathgoda)

60kg N.K.M.S. Nanayakkara (Seethadevi Balika, Kandy)

Under 22

Men

48kg K.W.S.M.A. Dasunpriya (Army)

51kg G.P.U. Mihiran (Police)

54kg H.M.A.S. Karunanayaka (Vidyarathana Sports Club)

57kg T.B. Meegalla (Royal College, Colombo)

60kg J.M.T. Deshan (St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy)

63.5kg M.M. Paris (St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy)

67kg A.G.V.H. Jayasinghe (St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy)

71kg K.M.M. Bandara (Royal College, Colombo)

75kg Y.M. Usaith (St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy)

80kg N.R. Kekillearachchi (Vidyarathana Sports Club)

Women

48kg H.K.N.N. Perera (Army)

50kg S.H.S.R. Fernando (Vidyarathana Sports Club)

52kg S.H.Y.R. Fernando (Vidyarathana Sports Club)

54kg K.M.N. Sandeepani (Koraboruwana MV)

57kg L. Kagenthini (Omega BC)

75kg N.M.M.S. Narasinghe (Army)

Coaches

Amila Aravinda Tissera, Nikshan Sajeewa Dassanayaka, K.K. Sunil, Sameera Karunaratne, Chandana Kumara, M.M.A. Nisthar, Anjana Viraj, Jamitha Gayan Bandara, Rixon Rubaraj, Malan Senavirathne, Dulaj Priyankara and Shehani Illangaratne