Sri Lanka’s boxing hopeful Umyanga Mihiran faced a setback in his Olympic journey, falling short of the Paris dream after a defeat to Iran’s Parviz Mahdl at the 2024 Boxing 2nd World Qualification Tournament held in Bangkok, Thailand.
Despite securing wins in his first two bouts against opponents from Singapore and Morocco, Mihiran’s Olympic aspirations took a hit in his third match. While initially leading with a 5-0 advantage, Mihiran faced a heavy blow to the face from Iran’s Mahdl, leading to a judges’ verdict in favour of the Iranian boxer.
This loss shattered Sri Lanka’s hopes for an Olympic boxing representative at the Paris Games after two decades of anticipation. In a commendable display on the sixth day of the tournament, Sri Lanka’s flyweight champion, Umyanga Mihiran, continued his winning streak by defeating last year’s World Championship quarter-finalist Morocco’s Essaadi Hamza with a resounding 5-0 victory.
Competing in the 51kg weight class, the 21-year-old Mihiran showcased exceptional footwork and stamina, dominating the fight from the Blue Corner. His clean boxing skills and tactical prowess earned him praise from coaches, including those from India and the USA, signaling hope for Sri Lankan boxing’s future.
While the Paris Olympic dream may have eluded Mihiran this time, his remarkable performance remains a beacon of hope as Sri Lanka looks towards the Los Angeles 2028 Games.
Sajeewa Jayakody