Italy’s Cristian Zara won the bout of the finals in the Kolchin Memorial Tournament

The Kolchin Memorial Tournament was held for the U22 women and men boxers in the city of Orsha, Belarus which was a preparation event for the upcoming EUBC European Confederation U22 Boxing Championships. Italy’s Cristian Zara eliminated his main national rival in Orsha and proved he could be a medal favourite at the flyweight (52kg) in the next EUBC event.

The host Belarusians claimed half of the available gold medals in Orsha achieving six titles in the Kolchin U22 Memorial Tournament. This international competition was a selection event for the host Belarusians and the winners will be attending in the EUBC European Confederation U22 Boxing Championships which is scheduled to be take place in Vladikavkaz, Russia on March.

Bout of the finals

Italy sent their younger generation to the Kolchin Memorial Tournament to raise the experiences of these talents. Cristian Zara achieved bronze medal in the Braila 2017 EUBC European Confederation U22 Boxing Championships and he had to meet with his main national rival Damiano Cordella in the final of the flyweight (52kg). Both boxers won the title of the Italian National Championships and their battle delivered high number of exchanges. The final verdict was split decision in the favour of Zara who is a medal hopeful in the upcoming EUBC European Confederation U22 Boxing Championships once again.

Surprise of the event

Belarus’ Volha Tserekhava attended international events only two-times during her career out of her country but she proved strong development in the Kolchin Memorial Tournament. The 20-year-old Belarusian worked well in the final of the women’s flyweight (51kg) and defeated Poland’s U22 National Champion and EUBC European Confederation U22 Boxing Championships quarter-finalist Angelika Krysztoforska.

Fact of the event

The following nations claimed at least one title in the Kolchin Memorial Tournament:

– Belarus: 6 gold medals

– Italy: 3 gold medals

– Lithuania, Poland, Russia: 1 gold medal

The round-up

EUBC European Confederation Women’s Youth Boxing Championships silver medallist 20-year-old Agata Kaczmarska moved down to the middleweight (75kg) and she was too strong for her compatriot Aleksandra Smukerz in Orsha. Kaczmarska is also preparing to the EUBC European Confederation U22 Boxing Championships where she is one of the medal favourites.

At the men’s lightweight (60kg) an important battle was held between Dzmitry Dziashkevich and 19-year-old Artur Tuniyeu which was a selection bout for the Vladikavkaz event. Dziashkevich, who is trying to fix his best category, controlled their final and won all of the rounds in each scorecard.

Italy’s Francesco Iozia was successful in the youth level and since 2017 he is continuous competitor in the U22 age group. The Italian boxer moved up to the light welterweight (64kg) and used his excellent tempo to beat Belarus’ Vitali Murashka in the final. Iozia was quicker and more energetic in the final than his rival and showed strong development.