Remarkable day for Ireland at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships

The third competition day of the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships was held in the Indian capital in New Delhi where 54 bouts were on the official program. Ireland’s Michaela Walsh and Amy Broadhurst both won their key contests on Day3 and the country produced a remarkable day in India.

Altogether 277 boxers are attending in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and among them 118 athletes are from 27 different European nations in New Delhi. The winners of the flyweight (51kg), featherweight (57kg), light welterweight (64kg) and middleweight (75kg) contests today all advanced to the last 16 in India.

Sweden’s Lise Sandebjer was silver medallist at the Sofia 2016 EUBC European Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships and now she attends at the flyweight (51kg). The experienced Swedish boxer had to meet with Sri Lanka’s Commonwealth Games bronze medallist veteran Anusha Dilrukshi Kodituwakku who is spending her last year in the world of boxing due the age limit. The smaller Swedish girl was tactically better than her Asian rival and secured her place in the last 16.

Poland’s European Games silver medallist Sandra Drabik did not attend as many events in the recent two years than in the previous Olympic cycle but she prepared well to this AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. The 30-year-old Polish flyweight (51kg) boxer used an aggressive style against her taller opponent Algeria’s Ouidad Sfouh. Drabik could catch her North African opponent successfully and won her debuting contest by large margin of differences.

Bulgaria’s Stanimira Petrova became AIBA Women’s World Champion in Jeju, South Korea four years ago. Since then she claimed two gold medals in the EUBC European Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships and moved up to the featherweight (57kg). The 28-year-old Rio 2016 Olympian had the height advantage against US National Champion Rianna Rios and following the first round she was able to dominate their fight and won the bout by unanimous decision.

Germany’s four women boxers lost their opening contests but their Maya Kleinhans impressed in the third competition day. The new national team member at the light welterweight (64kg) was stronger than her Spanish rival Lucia Blazquez and landed more punches than her opponent. Kleinhans was motivated, she controlled their contest well enough and as a first German she could celebrate after the final gong.

Ukraine’s Snizhana Kholodkova lost to Thailand’s tall Nilawan Techasuep in their hectic featherweight (57kg) bout. Short after their contest another Ukraine vs. Thailand battle was taking place in New Delhi at the light welterweight (64kg). Maria Badulina-Bova, who claimed gold medal at the Qinhuangdao 2012 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, defeated her newcomer Thai opponent Suchada Panich on Day3.

Denmark’s Yvonne Baek Rasmussen is one of Europe’s veteran boxers who had six years of break in her career but she returned even better a few years ago. Rasmussen, who won her first medals in 2005 including a bronze at the Podolsk AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, prepared well to the New Delhi event. Following her success in the Eindhoven Box Cup the Danish veteran continued the winning path and eliminated New Zealand’s Cara Wharerau with confident performance.

Romania’s Claudia Nechita had a successful year in 2018, she won international tournaments and defeated tough world class rivals. The 25-year-old Romanian flyweight (51kg) boxer spent a short time in the ring today, she was too strong for Mozambique’s Regina Fernando Macaringue. Following the third standing count the referee confirmed Nechita’s RSC victory and the Romanian advanced to the last 16.

Ireland’s two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist Michaela Walsh arrived to the venue of the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships as one of the favourites of the featherweight (57kg). The Irish boxer had to meet with Romania’s Lacramioara Perijoc who also impressed and won international events as her teammate Nechita. Walsh had a good strategy, she was moving away from the Romanian attacks and felt the best rhythm to launch counter-attacks in their tactical bout. The final verdict was split decision to the Irish boxer who bowed out a top rival in New Delhi.

Netherlands’ Jemyma Betrian had a successful career in several different martial arts as kick-boxing and muay thai before she switched to boxing. The 27-year-old Dutch featherweight (57kg) boxer is not enough experienced in boxing yet but her fighting spirit was amazed the crowd. Betrian was confident against Puerto Rico’s Central American & Caribbean Games winner Ashley Ann Lozada in spite of the fact her opponent was a high quality boxer. The referee counted the Puerto Rican in the third round therefore the new Dutch sensation won her debuting contest in New Delhi.

Czech Republic’s Martina Schmoranzova is their most experienced boxer who is member of the national team since 2006 but her success over Bulgaria’s defending EUBC European Women’s Champion Melis Yonuzova was a surprise at the light welterweight (64kg). Another key European contest in that category was held between Ireland’s EUBC European U22 Champion Amy Broadhurst and Russia’s Ekaterina Dynnik which was a spectacular bout. The 21-year-old Irish girl mobilized all of her power and she was able to eliminate her 19-year-old Russian rival in New Delhi.