The school that produced an Olympic boxer

Sitting atop a hilly area, some 400 yards from the Peradeniya-Colombo Road, is a school that has, unsung and unheralded, been producing champion boxers, some of whom have gone on to represent Sri Lanka at international meets.

Peradeniya MMV is the school in question and the jewel in their crown is undoubtedly Anuruddha Ratnayake who has qualified to represent the county at the Beijing Olympics.

Boxing at Peradeniya MMV was given a kick start by the late S.B. Eriyagama who coached the team with great dedication. Their first real success came in 1983 when they were joint champions within Trinity at the prestigious Stubbs Shield meet. Sixteen years later, in 1999, they were undisputed winners of the Stubbs Shield.

In addition, the school's boxers also won the T.B. Jayah Trophy in 1986, 1990 and 1996 and the L.V. Jayaweera Trophy in 1990 and 1994. Another achievement the school is proud of being runner-up at the Junior Boxing Championships in 1993 and from 2003 to 2005.

From time to time, Peradeniya's boxers have entered the ring within foreign boxers both here and abroad. Asanka Rajapaksa, the present national champion in the light weight, won his bouts at the Asian Junior Championships held in Karachi. Saman Priyadarshana Silva, a best boxer at the Novices meet, represented Sri Lanka against Tanzania in the Bantam Weight category. Both boxers are employed by MAS Holdings and are members of the National Pool.

Another Peradeniya MV product Rukman Abeyratne took part in the International YMCA Junior Championships in New Delhi in 1996. Ravindra Rantenna won a bronze medal at the inaugural Karachi Port Trust International Junior Championships. His school-mate M.B. Haluwana deprived of a win by biased Pakistani Judges, broke down in team and subsequently gave up boxing in disgust.

Suranjith Wijetunga represented Sri Lanka at the Adajaniya International Junior meet held in New Delhi in 1999. More recently, Malith Prabashwara boxed at the World Cadet Championships in Azerbaijan (2007).

Boxing at Peradeniya MV is by no means a male presence for the girls won the boxing title at the 2007 National School Games beating Palugasdamana MV, Polonnaruwa.

The future is quite rosy as far as the Junior boxers are concerned. Under thirteeners Dasun Priantha, the best boxer at the 2007 LV Jayaweera meet and 2007 Stubbs best boxer Shiran Gunatunga are two of their brightest prospects. The best losers at the 2006 and 2007 Stubbs Shield meets Sugath Kalpage (Seniors) and Malith Prabashawara (Juniors) are two other boxers the school hopes will bring further laurels to them.

The students of Peradeniya MV also indulge in Volleyball, Table Tennis, Chess and Karate. Volleyball has more participants, but there is no doubt that the priority sport is boxing.

How does the school manage? The Old Boys who boxed at the school provide the finances. They also help out with training. The school has made-shift boxing ring and a worn out punching bag. Boxing gloves are not copious, either.

Mr. Sunil Karunaratne, the master in charge of boxing for the past 23 years is also the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Schools Boxing Association since 1984. His contribution has to be commended. Their youthful coach, Chamara Chintaka is full of enthusiasm and has achieved much during the past two and a half years.

The Principal Mrs. S. Suriyaarachchi has proved to be a skilful organizer and a great motivator.