ABA picks strong teams to Vietnam

Chris Dhambarage

BOXING: The Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka has picked an eight member squad to represent the country at the Vietnam open women's championships and the Cadet championships to be worked off from June 10 to 18 in Ho Chi Min City.

The Sri Lanka women's team will include the cream of the national boxers namely L. G. Chandrika (Sri Lanka Army), C. D. Kodituwakku (Slimline), A. N. K. Jayasinghe (Slimline), M. N. Susanthika (Sri Lanka Army) and S. M. Senanayake (Slimline).

Chandrika and Kodituwakku had the honour of winning a bronze medal each at the recent 2nd Asian women's boxing championships held in Hisar, India. She was the national champion in 2002 and 2003 in the 46 kg category.

Chandrika who is a former pupil of Meepawela Amarasooriya MV also represented Sri Lanka at the inaugural Asian Women's Boxing Championships in 2001 in Bangkok and at the second World Women's Boxing Championships in Turkey in 2002.

Chandrika put up another fine performance during the dual contest against the Philippines and was the only boxer to win a medal in the women's events when she outpointed Josie Gabuco 14-7 at the Sugathadasa indoor stadium.

Anusha Dilrukshi Kodituwakku, is another top boxer having won a bronze medal in the 48 kg class event at the 2nd Asian boxing championships in India. She defeated Momo Koseki from Japan in the quarterfinals but failed to beat Ri Jong Hyang of North Korea who later on won the gold medal.

Anusha who is past student of Hamangalla Maha Vidyalaya in Giriulla was picked as the best boxer at the Novices Boxing Meet in 2001 and at the Women's National Championships in 2003. The Sri Lanka women's team will be coached by Wasantha Kumara with Mrs. N. Embuldeniya as the manager and H. S. Embuldeniya as the assistant manager.

Meanwhile the Sri Lanka Cadet boxing team will comprise three promising schoolboys W. A. K. Fernando of Vidyarathne, Horana, A. T. Anuranga from Royal College and W. J. Surendra of Seevali MMV Ratnapura. The team will be coached by K. A. T. Tissera with W. M. R. Wekadapola as the manager.