Silver and bronze for our female boxers

Chris Dhambarage

BOXING: The Sri Lanka female boxing team put up a fine performance to win two silver medals and two bronze medals at the Vietnam Open championships now in progress in Ho Cho Min City.

The two silver medallists are Anusha Kodituwakku from Slimline BC and M. M. Susanthika of Sri Lanka Army BC who have qualified to box in the finals of the 48 kgs and 57 kgs weight category event respectively.

Their chances of winning a gold medal will depend on their performances in the finals which are scheduled for today. Kodituwakku had the honour of winning a bronze medal at the recent 2nd Asian women's boxing championships held in Hisar, India.

The former schoolgirl of Hamangalla Maha Vidyalaya in Giriulla was also picked as the best boxer at the Novices Boxing Meet in 2001 and at the Women's National Championships in 2003.

Meanwhile Chandrika Guruge of Sri Lanka Army BC and Nilmini Jayasinghe from Slimline BC had the satisfaction of winning a bronze medal each in the 46 kgs and 50 kgs weight category events respectively.

Guruge who is one of the most experienced boxers in the scene also represented Sri Lanka at the inaugural Asian Women's Boxing Championships in 2001 held in Bangkok and at the second World Women's Boxing Championships held in Turkey in 2002.

The former schoolgirls from Meepawela Amarasooriya MV 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 on points at the Sugathadasa indoor stadium.

In addition Neranjala Senanayake failed to make an impact and was knocked out from the preliminary round while competing in the 60 kgs weight category. The Sri Lanka women's team is 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 comprising three promising schoolboys W. A. K. Fernando of Vidyarathne Horana, A. T. Anuranga from Royal College and W. J. Surendra of Seevali MMV Ratnapura also failed to make an impact and were knocked out from the preliminary round.

The team coached by K. A. T. Tissera with W. M. R. Wekadapola as the manager will arrive on Sunday.