“To get selected to represent Sri Lanka in such a short time is huge. My main aim is to represent Sri Lanka and bring something to the country. It is a dream come true,” said Purnima who will be making her international debut at the Eindhoven Box Cup International Boxing Tournament in Netherlands next month.
“I feel really honoured to be there because there are a lot of other players. It’s a huge thing for me. I just got the news and I’m getting myself prepared for that. It will be my first experience. I will try my level best to make the best out of it. My main aim is to do well in the Clifford Cup next month before going for the Eindhoven meet,” said the sturdily-built 29-year-old who has a post-graduate degree in marketing and holds an MBA.
“The key to my success is endurance. I can last for nine minutes,” said Purnima who played netball and volleyball at Samudra Devi Balika Vidyalaya.
“I first actually started boxing for fitness purposes. Then when I was doing it, I felt I wanted to continue it. My personal trainer Gihan Maduwantha also encouraged me to do it. Then I told him I wanted to participate in a tournament. I was then introduced to Police coach Sameera Karunaratne,” said Purnima who began as a Light Heavy (81kg) before dropping down to the Middle (75kg) weight at the Layton Cup where she beat three contenders including top ranked Jayadewa of Unichela to bag her maiden title.
“She has the talent and capacity to become an Olympic level boxer. She is a tough and aggressive fighter. Her boxing technique and punching power can be developed,” said Karunaratne, a former Layton Cup Best Boxer (2012) who represented Sri Lanka at the SAF Games in 2004 when he was still a schoolboy at President’s College, Veyangoda.
Purnima Jayasuriya is following in the footsteps of former Police woman pugilist Shiromala Wijeratne, who won medals for Sri Lanka in the Middle weight.
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