Boxing: 2 to represent Sri Lanka at Asian Youth and Junior Championships

Sri Lanka Boxing Federation (SLBF) will bank heavily on two promising teenage pugilists -- Kavindu Karunasinghe and Mihiran Umayanga -- who will represent the country at the Asian Youth and Junior Boxing Championships 2021 to be held in Dubai from August 17 to 31.

Karunasinghe, 16, from Dheerananda Central, Pilimatalawa, will compete in the 50kg category in the Junior Championships. 

The 18-year-old Umayanga of Nalanda College, Colombo will take part in Youth Championships in the 51kg category. 

Sri Lanka has never won a medal at the history of Asian Junior or Asian Youth category. 

The local sports body is overwhelmed by the records of the two pugilists and are heavily relying on them at the regional meet. 

For the first time, national body has taken over the junior selection and the tour planning from the Schools Boxing Association. 

The two boxers will be accompanied by Amila Aravinda Tissera as coach for Umayanga and Sunil, as coach for Karunasinghe. Susantha Weerasena will take part as a referee. 

The organisers, Asian Boxing Confederation, expects a record number of athletes from the top nations as 28 countries are expected to participate.