In a remarkable stride for Sri Lankan sports, 16-year-old Asil Murajudeen, the gold medalist from Zahira College in the All Island School Games, is gearing up for his first international boxing venture. Having consistently clinched the championship in the All Island School Games Boxing Tournament for the past two years, Asil is now set to represent Sri Lanka in the IBA World Junior Boxing Championship.
The championship is slated to unfold in Yerevan, Armenia, spanning from November 22 to December 4.
Competing in the 60kg weight category, Asil earned his coveted spot in this prestigious event through selection by the Sri Lanka National Boxing Selection Committee. The committee, led by former Sri Lanka Army Commander General Jagath Jayasuriya, also features Dr. Tharanga Arukkgoda, Udeni Kiridena, and Susantha Weerasena. Asil’s journey will be under the guidance of Coach Abdulla Ibunu, the Secretary of the Sri Lanka Boxing Association, and Manager Amila Thandakkara, the Principal of Pelmadulla Dharmaloka Maha Vidyalaya in Ratnapura.
This tournament holds a special place as it marks the return of the IBA Junior World Boxing Championships after an 8-year hiatus in the calendar. The last junior events took place in 2015 in St Petersburg, Russia, for men and Chinese Taipei for women. This time, the championship is set to bring together young boxers aged 15-16 from across the globe in Armenia’s capital, competing in 13 junior men’s and 13 women’s weight categories.
Asil Murajudeen’s participation is a testament to the talent and dedication of young Sri Lankan athletes, and the nation is eagerly anticipating his performance on the international stage. As he steps into the ring in Yerevan, the hopes of a nation go with him, cheering for a triumphant debut on the world boxing scene.