Usaith Yazmin Powers into Final at Asian U-22 Boxing Championship

Kandy’s 20-year-old southpaw Mohammed Usaith Yazmin became Sri Lanka’s standout performer at the ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships, reaching the finals with an impressive win over Kyrgyzstan’s Daniel Abdrakhmanov in the 75kg semi-finals.

Usaith, the reigning national champion, outboxed his opponent with sharp combinations and smart footwork, securing a unanimous decision after dominating all three rounds. His victory comes after several Sri Lankan boxers, including medal hopeful Umayanga Mihiran, were eliminated in earlier bouts.

Usaith will face Kazakhstan’s Aman Konsbekov in Friday’s final, carrying Sri Lanka’s gold medal hopes. His performance has lifted spirits after Sri Lanka’s bronze tally rose to 18 following more semi-final defeats.

In other results, Mihiran lost to Tajikistan’s Meroj Sufijonov in the 51kg category, while Akila Dasunpriya, Ashen Karunanayaka, and Thilakshana Deshan also fell short in their respective bouts.