Sri Lanka’s bantam weight pugilist Manju Wanniarachchi is in line to win Sri Lanka’s first Commonwealth Games boxing gold medal since the 1938 Empire Games after stopping his opponent from Botswana Tirafalo Seoko in the semifinals on Monday.
On that occasion Barney Henricus became the island nation’s first ever medallist at the Empire Games in Sydney 72 years ago when he won the featherweight title after winning against James Watson.
Wanniarachchi, 30, a product of Vidyartha College, Kandy, could emulate Henricus’ feat when he squares off against Sean McGoldrick of Wales who beat Louis Julie of Mauritius on points.
Sri Lanka’s boxing star made sure of a Commonwealth boxing medal in 60 years when he defeated Kenya’s Nicholas Okoth in the quarter-finals.
“It is a great achievement for us to win a boxing medal at the Commonwealth Games after 60 years,” said manager Dian Gomes, a former president of the Amateur Boxing Association of Sri Lanka speaking to Emirates 24|7 from New Delhi after Wanniarachchi's semifinal win.
“It is a result of the work we have put in during the last 10 years. The boxers have competed in some 30 competitions around the world,” said Gomes who gave life to boxing with his corporate support.
During his tenure as boxing chief, he saw flyweight champion Anuruddha Ratnayake qualifying to represent Sri Lanka in boxing after 40 years at the Beijing Olympics in 2008. His investment in the trio of Ratnayake, Wanniarachchi and Kamal Sameera is finally paying dividends.
Asked about Wanniarachchi chances of going for gold in the final, Gomes was positive that his boxer had the confidence and ability to create history.
“We are confident that he will win the gold medal. It will be a tough fight against the Wales boxer. But Manju is experienced, confident and mentally strong,” said Gomes, himself a former junior national champion.
Wanniarachchi was ecstatic at his win against Seoko and kissed the feet of his coach and trainer at the bell.
“He (Wanniarachchi) has come a long way. In the 2006 Commonwealth Games, he lost in the quarter-finals. So finally he is among medals for his country.”
Wanniarachchi lost in the final of the Commonwealth Championships to England’s Iain Weaver earlier this year.
The last occasion Sri Lanka won boxing medals at the Commonwealth Games was in Auckland in 1950 winning two silver and a bronze medal. The two silver medals and the bronze came from K. Edwin (Flyweight) and Albert Perera (Bantamweight) who won silver while Alex Obeyesekera (Welterweight) won the bronze.
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