Amy Broadhurst, pictured, guaranteed herself at least bronze at the European U/22 Championships after earning a unanimous decision over Turkey’s Esra Yildiz in Romania this afternoon.
Broadhurst, a former European Junior and Youth champion, will be aiming to edge a step further toward a unique Continental hat-trick against France’s Belinda Limuka in Thursday’s lightweight semi-final in Targu Jui.
The Dealgan BC southpaw consistently found the target against the European Elite bronze medallist with solid backhands today, particularly in rounds one and two. A right jab, delivered straight down the middle, straightened her AIBA World Elite ranked opponent in the second frame.
Yildiz’s best work developed when she closed down the distance and backed Broadhurst up, but the Dundalk lefty gave as good as she got when they action switched to the ropes.
Shannon Sweeney bowed versus Mari Emi-Todorova. Big performance in all three rounds from the Irish U/22 light-fly champion who asked plenty of questions of the experienced Bulgarian in an open contest.
Ireland is now guaranteed two bronze medals in Targu Jui, as Aoife O’Rourke is also through to the last-four. The medals are our first podium finishes at this level since Jason Quigley and Hughie Myers won gold and silver at the 2012 European U/22 Championships in Russia.
“Amy boxed very well,” said IABA President Dominic O’Rourke. “It was close, as you would expect. The Turkish girl is experienced and has also won won European medals but it was a tremendous performance from Amy.
“Shannon also performed very well today, also against an experienced opponent. She worked very hard in all three rounds.”
Gabriel Dossen is in quarter-final action tomorrow. Aoife O’Rourke, who is also assured of at least bronze in Romania, received a bye into Thursday’s semi-finals versus Carlotta Paoletti of Italy.
Irish boxing is proudly sponsored by Liffey Crane.
European U/22 Men’s and Women’s Championships Targu Jiu, Romania March 24/April 2
March 25th
Last 16
51kg Niamh Earley (Ireland) lost to Aikaterini Koutsogeorgo (Greece) 0-5
57kg Shauna Blaney (Ireland) lost to Nedkova Ivanova (Bulgaria) 1-4
March 26th
Last 16
52kg Conor Quinn (Ireland) lost to Maksim Stakheev (Russia) 1-4
Last 32
91kg Kevin Sheehy (Ireland) lost to Felix Kuhne (Germany) 0-5
March 27th
Last 16
75kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) beat Hambardum Hakobya (Armenia) 4-1
56kg Jordan Moore (Ireland) lost to Eusebi Jitaru (Romania) 0-5
Q/Finals
March 28th
Q/Finals
48kg Shannon Sweeney (Ireland) lost to Mari-Emi Todorova (Bulgaria) 0-5
60kg Amy Boadhurst (Ireland) beat Esra Yildiz (Turkey) 5-0
March 29th
Q/Finalss
75kg Gabriel Dossen (Ireland) v Giorge Kharabadze (Georgia)
S/Finals
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Ieland) V Belinda Limuka (France)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Carlotta Paoletti (Italy)
Irish squad
Female
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea) (Bronze, at least)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan) (Bronze, at least)
57kg Shauna Blaney (Navan)
51kg Niamh Earley (Ryston)
48kg Shannon Sweeney (St Annes)
Male
52kg Conor Quinn (Clonard)
56kg Jordan Moore (Glasnevin)
75kg Gabriel Dossen (Olympic)
91kg Kevin Sheehy (St Francis)
IABA President: Dominic O’Rourke
Team manager: Anna Moore & Paddy Osborne
Head coach: Dmitry Dmitruk
Coaches: Eoin Pluck, Thomas Murray, Valerie Hamilton
R&J: Philip Rooney