Woman with the knock-out punch

Suharshi PERERA

PUNCH: "Be prepared to be punch, when you punch". That is the fundamental theory of the game when she is inside the ring. After a hectic practice session she pulled out her gloves to have a little chat.

Having won glory for the country, Anusha Kodituwakku knocked down 11 international boxing rivals in the ring to emerge as the gold medalist in the Asian Open Women Championship held in Vietnam this year.

Kodituwakku, 26, is attached to the Human Resources department of Slimline under MAS Holdings Private Limited.

Kodituwakku punched her dream first in 2002 in the Novice Women Championship under the guidance of Harsha Kumara and Lal Amunugama, by becoming the Best Boxer in the 48 kg, light fly weight category.

Now she gets trained by Cuban coach George Formetha provided by the Slimline.

"Managing Director of Mas Holding Group Trust Dian Gomas, a name synonymous with Boxing in Sri Lanka is my mentor," she notes with gratitude.

She is the second of the family of three girls. Her first challenge was to shatter the misconceptions of her neighbours and relatives in Hamangalla, Batapathalla, a remote village in the Kurunegala district, whose eyes and mouth opened in disbelief when they learnt that she was being trained to become a boxer.

"What is so surprising about punching? Don't we witness women punching even in the day-to-day life?" She questions with a hearty laugh.

When she was studying at the Hamangalla Maha Vidyalaya she participated and won medals for athletic events like Javelin and running at national level and cricket, volley ball at provincial meets.

Kodituwakku was first interested in rugger, and participated in the 'Hongkong sevens' in 2003 for which Sri Lanka participated for the first time.

She was then directed to train for boxing by Dian Gomas and entered the international boxing ring in 2003, making her debut in the second Asian Women Championship held in Hariyana, India.

Then in 2004 she represented Sri Lanka in the Open Women Boxing Championship in Thaipe, China and won a bronze medal, defeating 14 countries.

Kodituwakku does not have a docile, feminine behaviour like her sisters. "Swift and tomboyish from younger age," she says.

"Mother fears that my face will be bruised but she encourages me, having recognised my talents," she adds.

Being a boxer she nurtures and supports her family and she earns glory for the country too. "The company has provided me all facilities and training so I will put all my efforts and courage to win a medal at the Common Wealth World championship in November this year. Twenty five countries will participate," she reveals her dream.

They undergo rigorous practice session from six to nine in the morning for five days per week including fitness training.

Her mother was abroad for around two years. During this time, she managed the household and as a result she turned out to be a good cook as well.

"I'm not totally out of the box, when I'm not inside the ring," she says.

We wish her good luck for all her future endeavours.

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courtsey: Webindia