Five hundred and fifty boxers vie for honours at Stubbs Shield meet

The 105th Stubbs Shield, Sri Lanka’s oldest and most prestigious school boxing tournament, will begin on October 31 at the Royal MAS Arena in Colombo. The tournament will run until November 5, drawing 550 boxers from 126 schools nationwide, competing across three age groups—under 16, under 18, and under 20—in 36 weight classes.

This year’s competition, part of the Education Ministry’s National School Games, promises fierce battles as top young boxers vie for the coveted Stubbs Shield and the Col. T.Y. Wright Challenge Cup, awarded to the best male boxer.

Defending champions St. Sylvester’s College, Kandy, bring an impressive record to the ring, having captured the Shield for three consecutive years and clinching four golds, two silvers, and a bronze in last year’s event. With 17 Stubbs titles under their belt, St. Sylvester’s stands as a  formidable contender.

Royal College, Colombo, the most successful school in Stubbs history with 19 titles, enters as another leading competitor. Known for setting high standards since 1914, Royal College has dominated with two remarkable four-year winning streaks, first in the 1940s and again in the 1980s. Royal’s legacy, built over a century, underscores its impact on Sri Lankan boxing.

Vidyartha College, Kandy, also holds a special place in Stubbs history with a remarkable seven-year unbeaten run from 1991 to 1997, inspiring a generation of young boxers. Vidyarathana University College, Horana, this year’s novice-level champions in the L.V. Jayaweera and T.B. Jayah tournaments, aims to build on its recent success.

Interest in the Stubbs Shield has grown due to recent international achievements by Sri Lankan school boxers. Athukoralage Dona Senudi from Kalupahana National School won bronze at the ASBC Asian Championships, marking Sri Lanka’s presence on the international stage. Zahira College’s Abdur Rahman Zaidh and Kalupahana’s Shihasna Kawindi Hetthiya, both international competitors, will also bring valuable experience to this year’s competition.

Founded in 1914 and named after Sir Reginald. Edward Stubbs, a former Governor of Ceylon, the Stubbs Shield has been interrupted only three times, during World War II, the civil conflict, and COVID-19 restrictions.

The Stubbs Shield has nurtured champions like Barney Henricus, who won the Featherweight title for Ceylon at the 1938 Empire Games, serving as a milestone for generations of young Sri Lankan boxers.

 Source:Daily News