MIHIRAN LEADS LANKA'S CHARGE INTO MEDAL ROUND

Wamakulasooriya, Jayathissa to battle Kazak boxers in semis today

- ByALLAAM OUSMAN

Sri Lanka’s Olympic hope Godakandalage Pasindu Umayanga Mihiran kept alive his pledge of winning the gold medal at ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships when he overcame his first hurdle with consummate ease at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium yesterday.

The 22-year-old Sri Jayawardenapura University undergrad who walks the talk with a swagger almost akin to boxing great Muhammad Ali, led Sri Lanka’s victorious charge on day five of the competition displaying sound ringcraft and ring generalising against a crafty fighter from Kyrgyzstan Bekzat Ergeshov in the Under-22 Youth Men Fly (51kg) weight quarter-finals.

Mihiran, Herath Mudiyanselage Ashen Shehara Karunanayaka (54kg) and Thilakshana Deshan Jayasundara (60kg) battled their way into the semi-finals with contrasting styles to raise Sri Lanka's medal tally to 22. Two more Sri Lankan medal contenders Thenuwan Bandara Meegalla (57kg) and Mahipala Mudalige Muditha Methsara Paris (63.5kg) failed to go the distance.

The much looked forward to bout between Mihiran and Bekzat lived up to all the ingredients of a classic. The pace was fast and furious with both boxers displaying good technique, ringcraft and tactical awareness in a bid to dominate. Added to the mix were fouls galore due to the intensity of the battle which occasionally got rough and scrappy causing many stoppages as the fighters indulged in a grappling contest.

The 2024 Asian Championships bronze medallist Mihiran oozed confidence getting into a good rhythm from the opening bell and being on target with three-punch combinations before slipping out of range. Sri Lanka’s reigning national fly weight champion scored heavily with left crosses to frustrate his rival who like most Kyrgyzstan boxers kept his hands low but could only land left jabs for Mihiran to win the first round clearly.