Colombo, Jan 28, 4PM – Umayanga Mihiran, a rising star from the Sri Lanka Police Sports Club, has once again claimed the coveted title of Most Outstanding Boxer of the Year at the 96th National Boxing Championship for the consecutive second year. The event, organized by the Sri Lanka Boxing Association, held at the Royal College MAS Arena, not only celebrated his remarkable talent but also ignited his dreams of competing in the Paris 2024 Olympics.
At just 21 years old and juggling undergraduate studies at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura, Mihiran dominates the 51kg weight class. His stellar performances this year earned him two gold medals, solidifying his status as the Most Outstanding Boxer of the Year and the National Champion.
This victory marked Mihiran’s second consecutive National Championship title in the bantamweight category. In a decisive final bout, Mihiran faced Sri Lanka Army’s Abeygoonawardane, clinching victory in the first round due to his superior performance, leading to his opponent bowing out due to a head injury, as referees unanimously awarded the win to Mihiran.
In another thrilling match, Mihiran went toe-to-toe with Sri Lanka Navy’s Ranmal. After two intense rounds, Mihiran emerged victorious as his opponent was knocked down, securing yet another triumph for the gifted boxer.
Mihiran’s journey in this year’s Nationals began with an impressive display against Sri Lanka Army’s Ravindranath, dominating all three rounds with a flawless 5-0 score.
Beyond the national level, Mihiran has left his mark. He was the Runner-up at the Layton Cup Boxing Tournament in 2023, followed by a triumphant victory at the National Boxing Championship the same year. He proudly represented Sri Lanka at the IBA World Boxing Championship in Uzbekistan and the ASBC Asian Under-22 Boxing Championship in Thailand. Notably, he clinched the gold medal at the International Boxing Tournament held in Malaysia last year.
Grateful for his achievements, Mihiran expressed heartfelt thanks to Dian Gomes, President of the Sri Lanka Boxing Association, for his unwavering support and guidance. Gomes has been instrumental in facilitating Mihiran’s participation in overseas tournaments, providing both financial assistance and invaluable mentorship.
Under the guidance of Gomes, Mihiran joined the Sri Lanka Police Sports Club, where he undergoes rigorous training under the tutelage of Boxing Head Aruna Katugampola and Coach Sameera Karunaratne.
Mihiran’s journey in boxing traces back to his childhood days at Vidyarathana College Horana, where he trained under Amila Aravinda Tissera. His dedication to the sport continued as he pursued his education at Nalanda College and later enrolled at the University of Sri Jayewardenepura.
With each victory, Umayanga Mihiran continues to shine as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring boxers across Sri Lanka, his sights set on even greater achievements in the ring and on the global stage.
