Team Ireland will return from Budapest, and the European U23 Championships with 6 medals, following the completion of all quarter finals and the beginning of semi-finals today.
57kg Natalia Fascizewska has won at least a bronze following a 4-1 split decision win in her quarter final with Gabriella Weerheim of the Netherlands. Judges scored the bout 29:28; 29:28; 29:28; 30:27; 28:29She boxes her semi-final on Friday, against Georgia’s Khuraman Kausumova. Reacting to her win, Natalia said “I’m delighted to get the win. It was tough, and I knew it was going to be tough. I stuck to the plan and we went through it and I got the victory so, on to the next! I’m just gonna stick to the game-plan. I know the girl in the semis so I’m going to listen to the coaches and do what I do best – perform!”.
50kg Louis Rooney has won at least a bronze medal following a 4-0 quarter final win over Oyan Nurullah of Turkey. Judges scored the bout 25:29; 25:29; 27:27; 25:29; 25:29. Louis is back in action on Friday. After his win, he said “I had to keep cautious, he kept coming in with the head alot so Ipicked my punches, moved and boxed. It was a tough fight. If you want to be the champion you have to keep getting up, so, that’s it!
Two Team Ireland semi-finalists fell foul of the dreaded 3-2 split. 48kg Tiffany Spencer had a semi-final battle with Yalgettekin Nurselen of Turkey. The 3-2 split decision went to Nurselen on a scoreline of 29:28; 30:27; 28:29; 28:28 *; 28:29. 65kg Ava Henry contested closely against Kyla Allen of England, and the split was awarded to her opponent on a scoreline of 29:26; 27:28; 29:26; 27:28; 29:26. Tiffany and Ava will both come home with bronze medals.
80+kg Cliona D’Arcy returns home with a bronze following her semi-final against Turkey’s Türkmen Hikmetgul The 4-1 split decision went to Hikmetgul. 29:28; 30:27; 29:28; 28:29; 30:27. 60kg Rebecca Kavanagh returns home with a bronze following her semi-final against Ukraine’s Tetiana Dovhal. The 5-0 decision went to the Ukrainian boxer on a scoreline of 27:30; 28:29; 27:30; 27:30; 27:30
65kg Roy Colgan exits on a 4-1 split following his tumultuos quarter final against Ukraine’s Artur Kuzmenko. Roy sustained two points deductions in the third round and judges sored the bout: 27:28; 26:29; 26:29; 26:29; 28:27
The competition schedule is available here
271 boxers from 32 federatons are contesting for gold at this inaugural confederation level World Boxing U23 championships. Competing federations are: Albania, Austria, Azerbaijan, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Finland, France, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Montenegro, the Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Slovakia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales.
Day Five
Thursday is a rest day at the tournament and remaining semi-finals will be boxed on Friday.
57kg Natalia Fascizewska takes on Georgia’s Khuraman Kausumova in Bout 3 of the Afternoon Session, at around 10.30am, Irish Time. While 50kg Louis Rooney takes on Azerbaijan’s Subah Mamedov for the chance to up-grade to silver in Bout Three of the Evening Session, at around 2.30pm, Irish time.
Friday’s programme is available here
Watch
European Boxing is streaming the tournament on it’s YouTube channel. Afternoon Sessions will begin at 10am, Irish time and the Evening Sessions start at 2pm. One ring is in operation for Semi-Finals and Finals.
Team Ireland
48kg Tiffany Spencer, Jobstown BC, Dublin
51kg Rachel Lawless, St. Brigid’s BC, Offaly
54kg Robyn Kelly, Ballynacargy Boxing Club, Westmeath
57kg Natalia Fascizewska, Castlebar BC, Mayo
60kg Rebecca Kavanagh, Mulhuddart BC, Dublin
65kg Ava Henry, Dublin Docklands BC
80+kg Cliona D’Arcy, Tobar Pheadair BC, Galway
50kg Louis Rooney, Star ABC, Belfast
55kg Pasty Joyce, Olympic BC, Westmeath
60kg Gavin Ryan, Ratoath BC, Meath
65kg Roy Colgan, Avona BC, Dublin
70kg Ryan Jenkins, Jobstown BC, Dublin
75kg Tadgh O’Donnell, Jobstown BC, Dublin
80kg James Whelan, Dublin Docklands BC
85kg Sean Mackay Trant, Monkstown BC, Dublin
90kg Garyn McAllister, North Down BC, Down
Support Staff
Team Manager: High Peformance Director, Jon Mackey
Coaches: James Doyle, Lynne McEnery, Jay Delaney, Ross Hickey (Grangecon BC, Wicklow/Defence Forces) and Paul Simpson (Saviours Crystal, Waterford)
Physio: Paddy O’Donnell and Rian Furley
Athlete Support: Aidan Walsh
R&J: Garry McGillion (Bishop Kelly BC, Tyrone)