Russia’s Renata Mingalimova won the historical first EUBC schoolgirl title in Albena
30 May 2018Following the EUBC European Confederation Youth Boxing Championships the next continental event, the EUBC European Confederation Schoolboys & Schoolgirls Boxing Championships was held in Albena in the recent days. As in the recent years the Russian boxers dominated the competition and won record number of 20 gold medals in Albena.
Boxers who were born in 2004 and in 2005 were eligible to compete in the EUBC European Confederation Schoolboys & Schoolgirls Boxing Championships in Albena. The competition was the first ever continental event for the schoolgirls to develop the grassroots of women boxing in Europe.
Russia is the strongest European country in boxing and their new wave their schoolgirls and schoolboys proved superb performance in Albena. The Russian schoolboys won 14 out of the 20 weight categories while their schoolgirls increased the number of the titles up to 20 following their six gold medals in Albena.
Ireland impressed in the historical edition and their young hopes claimed finally four gold, four silver and six bronze medals in Albena. Ireland’s neighbouring boxing power the English delegation also won four titles in the EUBC European Confederation Schoolboys & Schoolgirls Boxing Championships.
Georgia took two titles, Italy and host Bulgaria both acquired one title in the EUBC European Confederation Schoolboys & Schoolgirls Boxing Championships. Ukraine finally bagged incredible number of 21 medals while Hungary took record number of 13 podium places but without any gold in the collection.
Moldova, host of the 2017 edition Romania, Czech Republic, Serbia, Kosovo, Armenia and Norway also claimed at least one bronze medal in the EUBC European Confederation Schoolboys & Schoolgirls Boxing Championships. Norway achieved one bronze medal in the first 2003 edition and after 15 years of hiatus their young woman talent Sunniva Hofstad won a medal for the Nordic country in this level.
The first gold medal of the whole competition was achieved by Russia’s Renata Mingalimova at the schoolgirls’ 36kg. The 13-year-old Russian talent was quicker in the final than Ukraine’s Yelizaveta Voievudko and won a historical gold medal, she is the first ever schoolgirl boxer in the continent who took a European title.
Among the Russian schoolgirls Alena Tremasova was impressive against Hungary’s Kornelia Jonas in the final of the 45kg category. Her teammate Karina Korobova had also a tough final rival in Albena but she was able to solve the tactical job against England’s Charan Dhesi at the 48kg weight class.
Ireland’s Winnie McDonagh claimed only bronze medal in the Golden Girl Box Cup in Sweden a few months ago but this time her performance was enough to beat Russia’s Alina Safina in the final of the 63kg. Bulgaria’s lone title was achieved by Kasimira Voykova who had enough stamina to beat Ireland’s Dearbhla Tinnelly in the final of the 67kg.
The first gold medal of the schoolboy part of the continental event was captured by Russia’s Anton Avdienko who did enough in the final round against Ukraine’s Oleksii Plisak to win the title of the 38.5kg weight class. Ireland’s lone gold medal among the schoolboys was taking by Michael Faulkner who was too smart for Russia’s Linar Valiullin.
Russia’s Aleksei Starodubtsev won the first gold medal in the 2017 EUBC European Schoolboys Boxing Championships in Valcea at the lowest 38.5kg weight class and after one year he returned to the EUBC event at the 46kg. The 14-year-old promising Russian boxer landed effective punches in the final against Bulgaria’s Svetoslav Kosev and defended his throne in the schoolboy level.
England’s Royston Barney-Smith won the 43kg in the 2017 EUBC European Schoolboys Boxing Championships one year ago and following Starodubtsev he was able to win his second title after beating Ireland’s James Francis Donovan at the 50kg weight class. His strong teammate Enriko Itauma, whose elder brother Karol claimed silver medal in the EUBC European Confederation Youth Boxing Championships one month ago, dominated his final against Russia’s Artem Novikov.
