Colombo, Feb 2, 7.15AM – Yasidu Premaratna, the boxing captain from S Thomas’ College, has reached remarkable heights in just three years. At the recent Sportsunleash Schools Sports Awards 2024, organized by SPORTSINFO and the Institute of Sports Management (IOSM), he was honored as the Most Outstanding Schools Boxer of the Year 2023. Held at the prestigious Bandaranaike International Memorial Conference Hall (BMICH), the event marked a crowning achievement in Premaratna’s budding career.
Yasidu’s boxing journey began in 2020, and within three years, he has become a shining star in the ring. Last year marked a milestone in his career as he secured the silver medal in the 60kg weight class at the 34th Malaysian International Boxing Tournament held in Penang. This achievement was not only a personal triumph but also a significant contribution to his home country.
In the 2023 Stubs Shield National Schools Games, Yasidu showcased his boxing prowess by winning the Best Boxer Award and a gold medal in the 60kg weight category. His dedication continued at the 52nd TB Jayah Inter-school Boxing Championship, where he won the silver medal and the Best Loser Award, competing in the same weight class. In 2022, he had already proven his mettle by securing a bronze medal at the 46th LV Jayaweera Boxing Championship.
S Thomas’ College recognized Yasidu’s accomplishments by awarding him the Warden’s Gold Medal for representing Sri Lanka in the Malaysian International Tournament. Additionally, he received the prestigious DIG Jayakumar Thangavelu Trophy for being the Most Outstanding Thomian Boxer of the Year 2023.
Yasidu’s dedication to boxing shines through in his disciplined training routine. With unwavering commitment, he dedicates himself to rigorous training sessions six days a week. His motto, “the will must be stronger than the skill,” reflects his steadfast determination to succeed in the ring. While he may not rely solely on natural talent, Yasidu’s remarkable achievements underscore his unwavering dedication to the sport, speaking volumes about his relentless pursuit of excellence.
Premaratna’s journey into boxing began in 2020, transitioning from cricket, where he previously captained the Under-13 and Under-15 teams as an opening batsman. Inspired by a passion for combat sports and a desire for fairness, he found his calling in boxing.
Despite starting with a keen interest in Mixed Martial Arts (MMA), Yasidu’s coaches at S Thomas’ College recognized his leadership qualities. He was appointed as the Vice Captain and later became the Captain in 2023. Yasidu’s commitment and love for training played a crucial role in achieving his goals, including winning the Col. T.Y. Write Challenge Cup for the Best Boxer at the Stubs Shield National Boxing Championship and the “Best Loser Award” at the T B Jayah National Boxing Tournament 2023.
Coming from a family deeply rooted in sports, with his mother being a former athletic and swimming captain at Kandy High School, and his father, Nalin Premaratna, achieving records for S Thomas’ College in the Annual Royal-Thomian Regatta in 1986.with a father who set records in the Annual Royal-Thomian Regatta and a brother who represented Sri Lanka in Junior Karate, Yasidu’s decision to pursue boxing was influenced by his early interest in martial arts.
His grandfather, Asoka Mahadiulwewa, a former boxer and Gold Medalist representing Trinity College in the 1940s, served as a great inspiration for Yasidu to reach the highest levels in boxing. With his family’s rich sporting background, Yasidu is poised to be a promising candidate for Sri Lanka’s boxing future, guided in the right direction.
Beyond his individual accomplishments, Yasidu’s leadership has propelled the Thomian boxing team to extraordinary success. In 2023, they secured a remarkable twelve national-level medals, a significant improvement from the four medals in the previous year. This collective achievement led to the Thomians being named the second runner-up, jointly winning with Trinity College Kandy, after a hiatus of 59 years. This victory should inspire more Thomians to take up boxing seriously, especially considering the minimal support from a school where rugby and cricket take precedence.
In the ring and beyond, Yasidu Premaratna has become a symbol of dedication, discipline, and triumph for S Thomas’ College and Sri Lanka. His story is one of inspiration, showcasing the potential for success when passion meets hard work in the ring of boxing.
