Sri Lankan boxer Yasindu Premaratne, a former standout athlete of S. Thomas’ College, Mount Lavinia, has added another international medal to his achievements after securing silver at the 2026 King of the Ring International Boxing Tournament in Borås, Sweden.
Representing Westgate Sports Club, Premaratne advanced to the final of the competition, held from October 30 to November 1, before finishing runner-up against international opposition.
The tournament attracted hundreds of competitors and is regarded as one of Europe’s prominent amateur boxing events.
His latest medal marks another milestone in a career that has progressed from schoolboy championships in Sri Lanka to increasingly competitive international tournaments.
Building an International Boxing Career
Premaratne is no stranger to international competition, having previously represented Sri Lanka’s Under-20 national boxing team at the 2023 Malaysian International Boxing Championship in Penang, where he also secured a silver medal.
His overseas experience includes representing Sri Lanka at the Asian Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan, alongside appearances at tournaments in Belgium and France.
Competing against boxers trained in different national systems has provided valuable opportunities to refine his technical skills, defensive techniques and tactical decision-making.
Premaratne first established his reputation at S. Thomas’ College, where he emerged as one of the school’s leading sporting talents.
Among his most notable achievements was winning the prestigious T.Y. Wright Challenge Cup for Best Boxer at the national school boxing championships.
He became only the second Thomian boxer to receive the distinction in the trophy’s 112-year history.
His performances in the ring, together with his academic commitments and achievements representing Sri Lanka internationally, earned him the Warden’s Gold Medal at the college’s 2024 Prize Giving.
Russian Training Programme Offers Further Opportunities
Following his success in Sweden, Premaratne has joined three other Sri Lankan boxers for an intensive training programme in Russia.
The four athletes are training alongside members of the Russian Under-22 national boxing team, gaining exposure to a highly competitive boxing environment.
Sponsored by Lanka IBA Professional Boxing, the programme is designed to strengthen their physical conditioning, punching techniques, defensive capabilities and tactical understanding.
Training with experienced international competitors is expected to provide Premaratne with further preparation for the demands of higher-level competition.
For the former Thomian, the silver medal in Sweden represents more than another podium finish. It demonstrates his continued development as he works towards establishing himself against stronger international opposition.
His achievements have also brought recognition to Westgate Sports Club and the S. Thomas’ College boxing community, whose early support helped establish the foundations of his sporting career.
With international medals already to his name and further specialised training underway, Premaratne is continuing his efforts to build a career at the highest levels of amateur boxing.
