Lass from Kamburupitiya Nethmi Nimthera fuelled by Olympic boxing dream
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Nethmi Nimthera practicing her left hook
Kamburupitiya, a sleepy town nestled 12 miles south of Matara, has been awakened to the sight of young boys and girls fighting for glory in the ring in one of the oldest Olympic disciplines – boxing. Within a span of two decades, it has become the hub of boxing down south with about six schools having taken up the sport.
Narandeniya National School achieved the distinction of producing a junior international Tharinda Nethmina who represented Sri Lanka at the Asian Youth Boxing Championships in Mongolia in 2019. Narandeniya NS has produced outstanding women pugilists such as L.I.N. Malshani (Best Loser at the Novices meet and silver medallist at the Intermediates); W.S. Sewwandi, winner of her weight class at the Intermediates meet; and P.M. Vidanagamage, silver medallist at the Intermediates. Their coach Pradeep Jayasinghe who has been the live wire of boxing in the Southern Province now dreams of producing an Olympian.
A lass from Karagoda, Uyangoda in Kamburupitiya, Sudhdhathcharige Nethmi Nimthera, who won a gold medal and was adjudged the Best Boxer at the 2019 All Island School Girls Boxing Championship is being promoted as the next Olympic hope. Recipient of the Crysbro-NOCSL scholarship, Nimthera who turned 16 this month, is hungry for success and is determined to win a medal in the international arena.
“My aim to win as many tournaments locally and represent Sri Lanka at international meets. I want to win an Olympic medal for Sri Lanka,” said Nethmi gently without pulling her punches just as she calmly outguns her opponents in the ring.
“She is a special talent. I have not seen such an outstanding school girl boxing at the school level. Her standard is way above other. She can definitely win medals for the country at international level,” said Jayasinghe, a Sports Officer of the Kamburupitiya division of the Southern Province Sports Ministry since 2013 and Southern Province Boxing Co-ordinator who is also head boxing coach of Kamburupitiya Boxing Club and Narandeniya National School.
Nethmi Nimthera with her boxing coach Pradeep Jayasinghe
“Her dedication to attend training is unmatched although she has to come a long way from home. She never misses training and even came home to train during the corona period. She trains with senior boxers and even spars with the boys. That’s why she developed quickly,” said Jayasinghe who is preparing her for the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles.
“Unfortunately the Youth Olympics may not take place next year. My target is to keep her ready for 2028,” he added.
Nethmi who played volleyball and netball was fascinated by the art of boxing when she was just 11 years. Displaying natural talent, she won a bronze medal at the 2018 All Island School Girls Boxing Championship held in Padukka fighting in the 42-44kg weight class. The following year she was adjudged the Best Boxer at this Championship held in her home town underlining her class and future potential.
“I take part in almost every sport but I loved boxing from day one. With the scholarship funds I want to buy boxing equipment and nutrition,” said Nethmi, the only child in the family and lives with her grandmother since her mother has gone for employment overseas.
| “She is a special talent. I have not seen such an outstanding school girl boxing at the school level. Her standard is way above other. She can definitely win medals for the country at international level,” | |