Nilanthi, the new star on the horizon

By Allaam Ousman
Women’s boxing has come to stay judging by the enthusiasm shown at the Layton Cup Boxing meet where only one bout in a card of 10 went uncontested in the finals held at the Sugathadasa Indoor Stadium.

Although a majority of the contests did not go the distance, it was not a reflection on the quality of competition. The winners displayed superior technique and ring craft to defeat rivals who were not found wanting in courage.

Two police women constables R.D.J. Jayamali (light bantam under 52kg) and W.A.S. Santhika (bantam under 54kg) scored impressive victories against opponents from Army. Jayamali, a lanky 25-year-old lass from Minuwangoda, carried away the Best Boxer’s prize defeating Army’s T.M.S. Tennekoon displaying a fine array of punches using her reach to advantage. Santhika, 25, gave a power-packed performance to outclass S.T.S.N. Kumari. Best Boxer of the meet at the 2005 National Championships, Santhika and Jayamali have a good future ahead of them in the sport provided they receive proper encouragement.

Another boxer who caught the eye was A.A. Nilanthi of Watch Guard BC who outclassed her rival from MAS Southern BC P.G.C. Tharangani in the Light Heavy (under 80kg) finals with the referee stopping the contest in the first round. The former volleyball player from Ranna MV, Tangalle is just 20 years old but more importantly standing tall at five feet nine looks every inch a boxer.

Nilanthi has been boxing for the past three years and has two National titles under her belt. The eldest in a family of four, she is determined to continue boxing and bring laurels to her country.

“She has the potential to come good on the international arena because she is a well proportioned athlete,” said her coach Wasantha Kumara. “We should nurture her and promote people like her because she is blessed with above average height of top Asian women boxers. We should scout for more athletes like Nilanthi to make an impact in the world,” said Kumara.

Asked whether Sri Lanka has the capacity to win international medals, Slimline’s veteran coach Kumara said women’s boxing needs at least five years to come of age. He pointed out that Sri Lanka’s Anusha Kodituwakku already secured a gold medal in the Asian championships held in Vietnam in 2005. “Our immediate target should be the proposed 2010 Youth Olympics,” said Kumara.

The other winners at the Layton Cup meet were Army’s L.G. Chandrika (Pin under 46kg), Slimline SC’s A. Kodituwakku (Light fly under 48kg), J.A.N.K. Jayasinghe (Fly under 50kg), Army’s M.M.N. Susanthi (Feather under 57kg), S.DN.S. Karunaratne (Light under 60kg), Slimline’s S.M.N. Senanayake (Light welter under 63kg) and MAS Southern BC’s G.L. Anoma (Middle under 75kg).