Vidyarathana keen to topple St. Sylvester’s dominance
With two titles under their belt – L.V. Jayaweera and T.B. Jayah tournaments –Vidyarathana University College, Horana will surely eye their third title for 2024, by throwing a huge challenge against defending champions, St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy, as the 105th Stubbs Shield Inter-School Boxing Meet began in style.
The Stubbs Shield, a landmark event in Sri Lankan schools’ boxing, began on Thursday and will continue until November 5 at the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo. As part of the Education Ministry’s National School Games, the Stubbs Shield attracts the best boxers from across the island.
St Sylvester’s College boxing captain Heshan Jayasinghe exults after winning the Stubbs Shield final against Tehan Rayman at Royal MAS Arena last year
This year, with 550 boxers from 126 schools across three age divisions – Under-16 (Junior), Under-18 (Youth), and Under-20 (Senior) – competing in 36 weight classes, the stage is set for a fierce competition for the coveted Shield and the Col. T.Y. Wright Challenge Cup for the Best Boxer in the boys’ division.
This year’s Stubbs Shield holds special significance for participating schools with a strong boxing heritage, including the defending champions, St. Sylvester’s College of Kandy. With an impressive 17 Shield victories, including four golds, two silvers, and a bronze at last year’s competition, St. Sylvester’s remains a formidable contender, having taken home the Shield three years running. They are determined to maintain their winning streak and maintain their dominance in Sri Lankan school boxing.
Royal College, Colombo, another traditional powerhouse, enters the competition with a historic record of 19 Stubbs Shield titles, more than any other school. The school’s legacy includes two separate streaks of four consecutive wins, first from 1944 to 1947 and again from 1984 to 1987, making Royal an enduring force in
Sri Lankan boxing. Notably, they have competed in nearly every Stubbs Shield since its inception, missing only in 1999.
Vidyartha College, Kandy, stands out for its remarkable seven-year winning streak from 1991 to 1997 in Stubbs Shield history. Their sustained commitment to boxing excellence has inspired young athletes throughout the nation, securing Vidyartha’s place among the elite boxing schools in Sri Lanka.
Vidyarathana University College, Horana, this year’s champions of the L.V. Jayaweera and T.B. Jayah tournaments, is set to leverage its success in novice-level competitions for a strong showing at this year’s National School Games.
Sri Lanka’s school boxers have seen notable international success recently, which adds to the excitement surrounding this year’s Stubbs Shield. Kalupahana National School’s Athukoralage Dona Senudi earned a bronze medal at the ASBC Asian Championships, highlighting
Sri Lankan talent on a broader stage. Competitors like Abdur Rahman Zaidh from Zahira College, Colombo, and Shihasna Kawindi Hetthiya from Kalupahana National School have also performed exceptionally in recent international bouts, bringing invaluable experience to the tournament.
Founded in 1914, the Stubbs Shield has remained resilient, with only three cancellations in its long history. Its legacy has been shaped by schools like St. Mary’s College, Dehiwala, St. Michael’s College, Polwatte, S. Thomas’ College, Mt. Lavinia, Trinity College, Kandy and Zahira College, Colombo, each contributing to the rich tradition of boxing excellence in Sri Lanka.
The Stubbs Shield has stood as
Sri Lanka’s oldest and most celebrated school boxing championship. Named after Sir R. Edward Stubbs, a former Governor of Ceylon, the tournament has become the pinnacle of school-level boxing in Sri Lanka.
The tournament has only been interrupted three times in its long history — during World War II, in the height of the civil conflict, and more recently due to Covid-19 restrictions. Each return of the Stubbs Shield after these interruptions was marked by heightened enthusiasm and increased participation, demonstrating its deep-rooted cultural importance and the tenacity of the schools involved.
In the early years, traditional powerhouses like Royal College, Colombo,
S. Thomas’ College, and Zahira College set high standards for the competition, establishing it as a rigorous test of skill, endurance, and discipline. By the 1940s, Royal College had secured its place in Stubbs Shield history with a remarkable four-year winning streak, a feat they repeated in the 1980s, showcasing the school’s consistency in producing top-tier boxers.
The 1990s brought an era of domination by Vidyartha College, whose record-setting seven-year winning streak from 1991 to 1997 remains unbroken. This era inspired a wave of young boxers across the country, especially from schools in Kandy, creating an enduring legacy for Vidyartha in the annals of Sri Lankan school boxing.
With the support of the Sri Lanka Schools Boxing Association and the Education Ministry, the Stubbs Shield has grown to accommodate a broad range of weight categories, allowing schools from all corners of Sri Lanka to participate.
The Stubbs Shield’s century-long history is a testament to its enduring appeal and impact on Sri Lankan sports. Generations of champions, inspired by the competition’s legacy, have used the Stubbs Shield as a launchpad to national and international acclaim, solidifying its reputation as a cradle of boxing talent and a milestone in the journey of aspiring young athletes.
Among them are Sri Lanka’s first ever international gold medal winner Barney Henricus, a Stubbs Shield winner from Royal in 1933, who went on to win the Feather weight (57kg) title for Ceylon (as Sri Lanka was then known) at the 1938 Empire Games (now Commonwealth Games) in Sydney. As the 105th edition approaches, schools and spectators alike eagerly anticipate the next chapter in the storied history of the Stubbs Shield, where tradition and ambition collide in pursuit of boxing excellence.