Sri Lanka’s internationally acclaimed boxing official, Rukman Wekadapola, has added another feather to his cap by officiating at the 2025 African Youth Boxing Championships, held in Conakry, Guinea from May 16 to 26.
This marks his maiden international assignment as an International Technical Official (ITO) under the banner of the International Boxing Association (IBA).
Wekadapola’s appointment comes shortly after he made history by becoming the first Sri Lankan to qualify as an ITO, Referee and Judge (R&J) Evaluator, and R&J Instructor of the IBA. He topped a rigorous course held in March in Assisi, Italy, outperforming 17 other international candidates – a proud achievement for Sri Lanka in the global boxing arena.
Aged 51 and a Physical Education teacher by profession, Wekadapola is no stranger to international acclaim. Since becoming an IBA 3-star referee in 2013, he has served as a neutral official in 26 prestigious international competitions, including four IBA World Championships, the Youth Olympic Games, and the 2020 Olympic qualifying tournament in London.
His resume also includes officiating in five World Series of Boxing professional events – underlining his broad expertise across both amateur and professional rings.
Hailing from Pilimathalawa Central College, Wekadapola’s journey in boxing began as a fighter. He won the K. Shiniya Challenge Cup, awarded to the Best Junior Boxer at the iconic Stubbs Shield tournament, one of the oldest school boxing competitions in Asia.
Off the ring, Wekadapola is a 2-star IBA-certified coach who has trained numerous young boxers at Pilimathalawa Central College, Kingswood College, Dharmaraja College, as well as Viharamaha Devi and Mahamaya Girls’ Schools in Kandy.
His contributions to school boxing are notable, having served as Secretary of the Schools Boxing Association of Sri Lanka and currently acting as its Technical Advisor. He is also a prominent member of the Referees and Judges Commission of the Boxing Association of Sri Lanka.
With his historic ITO debut in Africa, Rukman Wekadapola continues to uplift Sri Lanka’s standing in the international boxing community – a testament to decades of dedication, discipline, and love for the sport.
