In a remarkable display of skill and determination, Team Ireland is set to return from Sofia with a minimum of four medals from the prestigious 77th Strandja tournament, following a series of intense quarter-final bouts. The Irish contingent has showcased their prowess, securing at least a bronze medal in each of their respective categories.
Caitlin Fryers, in a closely contested quarter-final, triumphed over Bulgaria’s Venelina Poptoleva with a razor-thin 3-2 decision. The judges’ scores of 29:28, 29:28, 28:29, 27:30, and 27:30 reflect the nail-biting nature of the match. Fryers will now advance to the semi-finals, where she will face Uzbekistan’s Feruza Kazakova in Saturday’s afternoon session.
The featherweight category has seen both Irish representatives, Niamh Fay and Michaela Walsh, secure podium finishes. Fay’s quarter-final bout against Uzbekistan’s Khumorabonu Mamajonova ended in a split decision victory for the Irish boxer. The scores of 28:27, 28:27, 26:29, 26:29, and 26:29, with two-point deductions for Fay’s opponent, underscore the competitive spirit of the match. Fay will next face the winner of the ongoing bout between Ukraine and Uzbekistan.
Double Olympian Michaela Walsh continued her impressive run, securing a unanimous decision victory against Brazil’s Jessia Dias Coutinho. The judges’ scores of 30:27 across all rounds highlight Walsh’s dominance in the ring. She will now vie for a medal upgrade against the USA’s Alyssa Mendoza.
Grainne Walsh, a world bronze medalist, also guaranteed a podium finish in Sofia. The Offaly native defeated Brazil’s Haziel Krishna Franco Santos with a 5-0 victory, the scores reading 28:29, 28:29, 27:30, 27:30, and 28:29. Walsh will next box for a medal upgrade against the winner of the bout between Kazakhstan and Romania.
Despite valiant efforts, Jenny Lehane, Terry McEntee, Dean Clancy, and Jon McConnell were unable to secure victories in their respective bouts. Lehane’s quarter-final against England’s Lauren Mackie ended in a heartbreaking 3-2 split decision loss. McEntee, Clancy, and McConnell all faced tough opponents in their Last 16 contests, ultimately falling to 5-0 decisions.
The Irish team’s performance at the Strandja tournament has been nothing short of exceptional, with four medals already secured and the potential for more. The semi-final bouts promise to deliver even more thrilling action as these talented boxers continue their quest for gold.
Team_TBE Boxing
🛒 Premium Recommendations
MiM USA Hercules EX, Commercial All in One Gym Machine w/ 400 lb Weight Stack, Adj Bench, Jammer Arms, Leg Press, Leg Extension, Arm Curl, LAT Seat & Complete Attachments
New Alien.Ware 2025 Area-51 Gaming Laptop 18.0" QHD+300Hz, 3ms Display 24 Cores Ultra 9 275HX 64GB RAM 4TB SSD Geforce RTX 5090 24GB GDDR7 CherryMX Keyboard Thunderbolt5 Gorilla Glass Panel Win 11Home
As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases. Prices and availability subject to change.