Leaving an important turning point in the history of boxing in Sri Lanka Corporal Chaminda Tennakoon of the Sri Lanka Army, groomed by none other than Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya, the Commander of the Army himself before he took on the mantle of office as Army Chief, won the Best Boxer (Light Fly category) in the India vs Sri Lanka Duel Boxing Championships – 2010 for AE Challenge Cup held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium on Saturday (4).
Minister of Sports, Mr C.B. Rathnayake and the Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya graced the final prize-awarding ceremony as Chief Guest and Guest of Honour respectively.
The duel, co-organized by Amateur Boxing Association (ABA) of Sri Lanka which strives to expose Sri Lankan Boxers to international standards and the Boxing Federation of India has been generously supported by A & E Company as the principal sponsor and Mr Dian Gomes, Chairman, India-Sri Lanka Duel.
In the Light Fly weight category under 49 kg, India’s M. Mahadevan (23) competed against Corporal Chaminda Tennakoon of the Sri Lanka Army to be the winner in the Men’s bout, a new record among Army boxers. Boxer Corporal Tennakoon was lucky to have had Lieutenant General Jayasuriya as his guru (coach) who has taken the initiative to introduce him into the field as a novice in boxing.
Pinki Jangra (Lt Fly - 48 kgs), Meena Kumari (Fly - 51 kgs), Preeti Beniwal (Light - 60 kgs), Santosh Fakirappa Harijan (Fly - 52 kgs), and Vikash Malik (Light - 60 kgs), all of them from India won respective boxing tussles. The overall Championship was clinched by India. Manju Wanniarachchi (Feather - 56 kgs) won in the Men’s bouts from Sri Lanka.
Both Minister Rathnayake and Commander of the Army, Lieutenant General Jagath Jayasuriya gave away awards to the winners. Chairman, India-Sri Lanka Duel Dian Gomes made the welcome speech and both national flags of India and Sri Lanka were hoisted by invited guests.
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