Amy Broadhurst is through to Sunday’s lightweight final at the European U/22 Championships in Vladikavkaz, Russia.
The Dundalk lightweight (Dealgan BC) beat France’s Fatia Benmessahel on a unanimous decision this afternoon to upgrade her guaranteed bronze to at least silver.
Final scores 30-27 x 3 and 29-28 x 2 to Broadhurst.
“I honestly couldn’t be any prouder of myself! What a year it’s been but we’re one step away from winning my 5th European GOLD medal, said Broadhurst, a six-time European finalist, via social medai.
“I will box on Sunday in the European final.. I’m hoping it will be triple celebrations as on Sunday it’s (St) Patrick’s Day, my Birthday and hopefully a European gold medal.”
The Irish Elite champion will meet Italy’s Rebecca Nicoli for gold. Nicoli beat England’s Shona Whitwell on a split verdict today.
Broadhurst’s body to head combinations contributed much to today’s decision.The Louth southpaw delivered the majority of heavier and cleaner shots in all three rounds.
Benmessahel’s was effective when she cut down the distance but her work lacked the precision and intensity of the Irish champion.
Meanwhile, Broadhurst and Nicoli will be aiming for successive European U/22 titles on Sunday afternoon as they both topped their respective podiums at this level in 2018.
Nicoli, who has dropped down a notch, won light welter gold last year and Broadhurst claimed the top prize in the lightweight class.
Broadhurst has won three fights en route to the final. If she claims a second successive croc ‘o gold on Paddy’s Day she’ll become – Jason Quigley won Euro U/22 gold in 2012 – the first Irish athlete to secure two titles at this level.
Team Ireland are due to arrive home via Dublin Airport at 9.10pm Monday evening via Moscow (Aeroflot).
European U/22 Men’s and Women’s Championships Vladikavkaz, Russia
March 17
(Final)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) v Rebecca Nicoli (Italy)
March 15
(S/Finals)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) beat Fatia Benmessahel (France) 5-0
March 13
(Q/Finals)
52kg Adam Hession (Ireland) lost to Rotyslav Bilototskyi (Ukraine) 0-5
75kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland lost to Aleksei Semykin (Russia) AB3
March 12
Q/Finals
51kg Niamh Earley (Ireland) lost to Giovanna Marchese (Italy) 1-4
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) beat Kinga Mezovari (Hungary) 5-0
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) lost to Anastasiya Shamonova (Russia) 0-5
March 11
Last 16
69kg Paddy Donovan (Ireland) lost to Vakhid Abbasov (Russia) 0-5
75kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Florin Simion (Romania) 5-0
March 10
Last 16
57kg Mary Geraghty (Ireland) lost to Victoria Glover (Scotland) 0-5
60kg David Oliver Joyce (Ireland) lost to Beslan Khamzaev (Russia) 1-4
64kg Pierce O’Leary (Ireland) lost to Mike McDonagh (Wales) 0-5
March 9
Last 32
60kg David Oliver Joyce (Ireland) beat Oleg Chulkyacheyev (Ukraine) 5-0
69kg Paddy Donovan (Ireland) beat Sam Wagensvela (Netherlands) 4-1
75kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Andrei Vreme (Moldova) 5-0
March 8
(Last 16)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) beat En Gizem (Turkey) 5-0
64kg Shauna O’Callaghan (Ireland) lost to Chelsey Heijnen (Netherlands) RSC2
March 15
(S/Finals)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) v Fatia Benmessahel (France)
Irish squad
Female
51kg Niamh Earley (Ryston)
57kg Mary Geraghty (St Anthonys)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan) (Silver, at least)
64kg Shauna O’Callaghan (Clann Naofa)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea) Cpt
Male
52kg Adam Hession (Monivea)
60kg Davey Oliver Joyce (Ballymun)
64kg Pierce O’Leary (Dublin Docklands)
69kg Patrick Donovan (OLOL)
75kg Gabriel Dossen (Olympic) Cpt
Team Manager: Stephen Molloy
Head Coach: Dmitry Dmitruk
Coaches: Anita Just, Philip Keogh
R&J: Stephen Kelly