Army (men) and Air Force (women) emerged as the champion teams at the 93rd Clifford Cup Boxing Championship held at Royal MAS Arena which was conducted after a lapse of three years with the participation of nearly 150 boxers representing 22 clubs.
Army underlined their dominance to win the coveted Clifford Cup in the 13-weight class men’s category by winning nine gold medals, two silver and one bronze. The Second-placed Navy won gold, four silver and four bronze while the Air Force took third position claiming one gold, one silver and three bronze medals.
Air Force Women’s team was the proud recipient of the Dian Gomes Challenge Trophy and won 11-weight class category five gold medals and two bronze medals. Army took second place with four gold and two silver medals while Navy took third spot with one gold, one silver and one bronze medal.
Reigning national champion HMLP Jayawardana of Army was adjudged the Best Boxer (men) of the meet. He won a unanimous decision against DH Thisarachchi of Back2Fit in the Light Fly weight (under 48kg) final.
Navy’s WMGKGI Ariyarathna who lost a split decision under 75 kg final to Army’s KG Pathmasiri was consoled with the Best Loser’s (men) award.
Reigning national champion, two-time Layton Cup winner and Best Boxer at the National Sports Festival, Air Force’s KKIT Perera showed her class under 57kg final against Army’s MDP Manathunga to win by unanimous decision and the Best Boxer (women) award.
Police BC’s Pubudi Vidanagamage who gave a spirited performance under 52kg final against Army’s HS Priyadarshani received the Best Loser’s (women) award.
The Chief Guest at this prestigious event was Dian Gomes, the President of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka and also the Board Director of the International Boxing Association and Asian Boxing Confederation.