85th Boxing Nationals commences

Anuradha ABEYSEKERA

Slimline boxers dominated by winning most of the bouts on the first day of the 85th National Boxing Championship which commenced yesterday at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium. T. M. Weerasinghe of SL Army qualified for the women's over 81 kg Super Heavy Weight final by defeating J.G.D.J. Dharsha of MAS Southern 'A', 25-4.

Altogether 43 bouts lined up for the opening day and more than 150 boxers including 110 men and 48 women will compete in different weight categories in the 85th Boxing Nationals. The tournament is sponsored by the American & Efird Lanka Pvt. Ltd. and will continue until January 29.

First day results:

Women's semi finals -

Super Heavy over 81 kg: T.M. Weerasinghe (SL Army) beat J.G.D.J. Dharsha (MAS Southern) - 25-4.

Women's quarter finals -

Light Fly Weight under 48 kg: J.A.D. Jayasinghe (Linea'A') beat H.S. Priyadarshani (SL Army) - 14-9. Kosala Nilmini (MAS Southern) beat R.A.N. Pushpakumari (Thurulie) - 12-2 (RSC). G.D.L. Sandakalum (SL Police) beat W.D.D. Amarasinghe (Line'B') - 18-7. K.H.E.G. De Silva (MAS Southern 'B') beat W.S.V.M. Nishadi (MAS Southern 'C') - 8-3 (Rtd).

Bantam Weight under 54 kg: Vidushika Prabadhi (MAS Southern) beat W.A.S. Santhika (SL Police) - 18-10.

Men's quarter finals:

Light Fly Weight under 48 kg: B.G.R.I. Warnasooriya (VCK BC) beat M.M.Prabashwara (Unichela)- 13-9. W.A.C.I. Perera (SL Army 'A') beat G.G.D.C. Kumara (Army 'B') -2-1 (Rtd). S.M.R. Kumara (Air Force) beat H.M.S.P. Gamage (Navy 'A') - 14-7. A.N. Adikari (Slimline) beat U.J.N. Rajapaksha (Navy) - 18-7.

Bantam Weight under 56 kg: K.N. Jayakody (Army) beat J.S.K. Chandrakantha (Air Force) - 19-10. W.R.T. Weerakkody (Army) beat M.D. Dhanushka (Navy) - 12-8. D. M. Samarasekara (Slimline) beat T.R.Jamaldeen (Ghandara) - 3-1 (Rtd). W.G.S. Jayaweera (Unichela) beat M.D. Kumara (Navy) - 25-8.

Fly Weight under 52 kg: D.P. Jayamanna (Ghandara) beat M.B.M. Kumarasiri (Air Force) - 22-14. A.C. Chandrasiri (Unichela) beat K.M.D. Jayaranga (Army) - 14-9. M.V.I.S. Bandara (Army) beat Malan Senavirathna (Silueta) - 15-12. P.D. Suresh (Slimline) beat M.V.G.C.S. Bandara (Army) - 21-13.