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The Ukrainians amazed at the EUBC Schoolboys & Schoolgirls European Boxing Championships on Day3

Forty-one mostly female contests were held at the EUBC Schoolboys & Schoolgirls European Boxing Championships in Erzurum, Turkey on Day3. The Ukrainians and the Turkish boxers both had a strong competition day in Erzurum.

Following the EUBC U22 European Boxing Championships, the EUBC Youth European Boxing Championships and the EUBC European Men’s Elite Boxing Championships, the next continental event will be held for the schoolboys and schoolgirls.

The competition period of the EUBC Schoolboys & Schoolgirls European Boxing Championships is August 12-20. Following the rest day, the 29 finals will be held on August 20. The Technical Delegate of the EUBC Schoolboys & Schoolgirls European Boxing Championships is Mr. Viorel Sima of Romania.

The following 28 nations registered to attend at the EUBC Schoolboys & Schoolgirls European Boxing Championships: Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bosnia & Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, Georgia, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Italy, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Poland, Romania, Scotland, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Turkey and Ukraine.

The bout of the day

The Ukrainian girls performed amazingly in the third competition day, almost all of their team members celebrated a success during the two long sessions. Diana Dudyn represented them at the 51kg weight class and she had amazing stamina despite her slow start and several issues. The Ukrainian girl did not underestimate her rival, Bianka Kapcsos but she had difficult moments in the first round. Dudyn not only worked hard as the Hungarian but she knew more about the venue than her local pride. Dudyn was simply too strong for the talented Hungarian but her opponent did not give the fight up and she almost turned back their 51kg weight class bout.

The Round-Up

The Turkish girls were brilliant in the previous major competitions such as the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, Mediterranean Games, EUBC U22 European Boxing Championships and many other events this year. Asli Donmezoglu is the smallest girl in the squad in Erzurum and she opened her campaign strongly on Day3. The 14-year-old Turkish girl overcome Italy’s Elena Potenza in the attacks and she had the clear advantage before the final round to win their contest at the 38kg.

England returned to the level of the EUBC Schoolboys & Schoolgirls European Boxing Championships after three years of break but their talents worked hard in these period, including the most difficult Covid-19 era. England’s Layla Straughan is an excellent talent at the female 40kg weight class and she proved different level boxing as Armenia’s Ani Mkhitaryan. Another strong boxer in this female weight class was Greece’s Angeliki-Petroula Sdouga on Day3 who shocked Italy’s Gloria Potenza in the next bout and stopped her rival still in the first round.  

Hungary’s Dzsenifer Horvath is a 13-year-old talent who proved her excellent technical skills in the preparation events. The Hungarian, who spends her first year in the schoolgirl age group, was not able to repeat her previous performance in Erzurum. She looked nervous against England’s Serena Mali in the first round and her opponent had the 10:8 advantage in all of the five judges’ scorecards. The English girl had decisive shots and combinations in the second round therefore the Croatian referee confirmed her RSC triumph at the 42kg.

Ukraine’s great march in the third competition day was started by Anhelina Havryliak at the 38kg weight class but several of her teammates also advanced to the next stage of boxing. Sofia Liahotska eliminated a dangerous Italian rival, Maria Macchiolo won that 42kg weight class bout unanimously. The next Ukrainian success was achieved by Khrystyna Semeniv who had a clear success over Hungary’s Patricia Petriman at the 44kg weight class. The Ukrainian girls could prepare well for this European Championships and earned several medals for their countries.

Armenia’s Hamest Afrikyan is not an experienced girl at the 42kg weight category yet but he landed the better shots against Azerbaijan’s Sama Mustafayeva. Both of the neighbours had amazing fighting skills but Afrikyan worked harder in this outstanding bout. The Armenian joined the next stage of boxing dominating all of the three rounds against the Azeri newcomer. Ireland’s Lauren Doherty Crinnion delivered the next strong performance, she defeated England’s Jaya Kalsi in an early final contest at the 44kg.