Team Ireland have recorded two wins from three bouts on the opening day of the 76th Strandja Memorial Tournament.
222 athletes are contesting the compeition: 143 men and 79 women boxers, from 22 federations, including Ireland: Algeria, Austrian,Azerbaijan, Bulgaria Chinese Taipei, China (Inner Mongolia), Croatia, Cyprus, England, France, Hungary, Greece, Georgia, Italy, Israel, Kosovo, Pakistan, Slovakia, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Wales.
First up today was Team Captain, 60kg Adam Hession, who began his tournament against Samandar Olimov of Uzbekistan. Adam was dominant, decisive and accurate throughout, and won on a 5-0 decision. He contests his quarter final on Thursday, against England’s Jack Dryden. Also contesting at 60kg and making his Strandja debut today was Rhys Owens – he met a tricky opponent in Georgia’s Artyush Gomtsyan, which resulted in a close and testy bout. Rhys prevailed on a 3-2 split decision , and will also box for a medal on Thursday. The third Team Ireland boxer in the ring in Sofia today was 67kg Darren O’Connor, competing against Zaur Gahramov of Azerbaijan. Darren put in a valiant performance, but the 5-0 decision went to the Azerbaijani boxer.
The Opening Ceremony took place before the beginning of boxing this afternoon, and Team Ireland’s flag bearers were 48kg Ciara Walsh and 54kg Patsy Joyce
Of Team Ireland boxers yet to open their accounts, 48kg Ciara Walsh has been draw in the semi finals, and will come home at least a bronze medal. She boxes against Kazakhstan’s Algerim Sattibayeva. 50kg Shannon Sweeney, the reigning European Champion meets France’s Moulai Romane at the Quarter Final stage. Also beginning her tournament at QF stage is 54kg Chloe Gabriel – mirroring Ciara, she also contests againt Kazakh opposition, in the form of Symbat Aliashkar. European bronze medalist, 57kg Niamh Fay contests against Turkey’s Asude Ece Ediz in the last 8. 64kg Linda Desmond makes her Strandja debut at QF stage against England’s Sasha Hickey .
There’s also a quarter final start for 48kg Louis Rooney, the European U23 champion at the weight, boxes his first contest against Kazakhstan’s Shanzar Taskenbay. Fellow European U23 champ, 54kg Patsy Joyce first steps between the ropes against Uzbekistan’s Shakzod Muzafarov.
Day Two
A very busy day in Sofia tomorrow for Team Ireland, with 8 boxers in action.
In Ring A’s Afternoon Session, 75kg Josh Olaniyan meets Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Ummataliev in Bout 7.
In Ring B’s Afternoon Session, Gavin Rafferty, also contested at 75kg, takes on Azerbaijan’s Mishariff Kazimada in Bout 6. In Bout 7 of the same ring and session, 86kg Brian Kennedy makes his tournament debut against France’s Traora Aboulaye. And in Bout 11, 92+kg Gus Ide does likewise, contesting his first bout against Uzbekistan’s Arman Makhonov.
In Ring A’s Evening Session, 63.5kg Jason Nevin is in action in Bout 3, against China’s Melia Na. Paris Olympian, heavyweight Jack Marley, is between the ropes 3 bouts later, in Bout 6, China’s JiLei Zhang – that’s a Quarter Final contest.
And in Ring B’s Evening Session, Paris Olympian, 63.5kg Dean Clancy boxes Uzbekistan’s Sayat Ilyasov in Bout 1, while 80kg James Whelan meets Ye Erobolweishhan of China in Bout 3.
Programme
Watch
The Bulgarian Boxing Federation is streaming the tournament live on its YouTube channel. Links, per ring and session, will be published on the day of boxing.
Boxing in the Afternoon Session begins at 12pm, Irish time, while the evening sessions gets underway at 3.30pm.
Team Ireland
48kg Ciara Walsh, Smithfield Boxing Club Dublin
50kg Shannon Sweeney, St. Anne’s BC, Westport Mayo
54kg Chloe Gabriel, Dublin Docklands BC
57kg Niamh Fay, Phoenix of Ballyboughal BC, Dublin
63kg Linda Desmond, Rylane BC, Cork
48kg Louis Rooney, Star ABC, Belfast
54kg Patsy Joyce, Olympic BC Mullingar
60kg Rhys Owens, Erne BC, Fermanagh
60kg Adam Hession, Monivea BC, Galway, Team Captain.
63.5kg Jason Nevin, Olympic BC Mullingar
63.5kg Dean Clancy, Sean McDermott BC, Leitrim
67kg Darren O’Connor, Olympic BC, Galway
75kg Gavin Rafferty, Dublin Docklands
75kg Josh Olaniyan, Jobstown BC, Dublin
80kg James Whelan, Dublin Docklands
86kg Brian Kennedy, St Brigid’s BC, Edenderry, Offaly
92kg Jack Marley, Monkstown BC, Dublin
92+kg Gus Ide, Crumlin BC, Dublin.
Team Manager: Sean Crowley
Head Coach: Zauri Antia
Coach: Lynne McEnery
Coach: Jay Delaney
Physio: Rob Tuomey
R&J: Mal Scott.
Drawsheets are available here