The draw has taken place for the 76th Strandja Memorial Tournament, and Team Ireland is assured of at least one medal.
222 athletes will contest the tournament: 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, Wales
48kg Ciara Walsh has been draw in the semi finals, and will come home at least a bronze medal. She opens her account 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.
Adam Hession and Rhys Owens are contesting at the same weight, 60kg, and they meet Samandar Olimov of Uzbekistan and Georgia’s Artyush Gomtsyan, respectively at the preliminaries stage. Jason Nevin and Paris Olympian Dean Clancy are contesting at 63.5kg. Jason first meets China’s Melia Na while Dean boxes Uzbekistan’s Sayat Ilyasov. 67kg Darren O’Connor opens his account at the tournament at Last 16 stage, meeting Zaur Gahramov.
Gavin Rafferty and Josh Olaniyan are contesting at 75kg. Gavin meets Azerbaijan’s Mishariff Kazimada while Josh takes on Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Ummataliev. At 80kg James Whelan boxes against Ye Erobolweishhan. 86kg Brian Kennedy make his tournament debut against France’s Traora Aboulaye.
Paris Olympian 92kg Jack Marley has a Quarter Final start against China’s JiLei Zhang – and 92+kg Gus Ide opens his account against Uzbekistan’s Arman Makhonov.
Day One
3 Team Ireland boxers are in action on Day One. There’s a single session, beginning at 12.30pm, Irish time.
60kg Rhys Owens is in action in Ring A’s Bout 3 against Georgia’s Artyush Gomtsyan.
In Ring B, also in Bout 3, 60kg Adam Hession begins his tournament against Samandar Olimov of Uzbekistan. 4 contests later, in Bout 7, 67kg Darren O’Connor boxes Zaur Gahramov of Azerbaijan.
Programme
Watch
The Bulgarian Boxing Federation is expected to continue it’s tradition of live-streaming the tournament on it YouTube channel
Ring A
Ring B
Women’s Drawsheets
Men’s Drawsheets
Competition Schedule
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.