In a stunning display of skill and determination, the USA Boxing Elite High Performance Squad clinched three gold medals and one silver medal on the final day of the 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament in Helsinki, Finland. The tournament, which concluded on Sunday, April 12, saw all eight American boxers secure medals, underscoring the team’s dominance in the international arena.
Leading the charge was Deborah Grant, who not only won gold in the 57-kilogram category but was also honored as the tournament’s Best Female Boxer. Grant’s victory over Denmark’s Alice Bennedbaek by RSC-2 was a testament to her prowess and marked her third win of the week, including two unanimous decisions and a stoppage victory.
Moises Rodriguez, competing in the 55-kilogram division, delivered a masterful performance in his gold-medal bout, securing a unanimous decision over Italy’s Badr Eddine Bouraouia. Rodriguez’s victory was his second of the tournament, with each round won 5-0. This achievement marked his first international gold medal in his Elite international tournament debut.
In the 90+ kilogram category, Nnajai Wright continued his winning streak with a unanimous decision victory over Germany’s Dilvan Yeazgan. This gold medal is Wright’s second in his international career and his first in the Elite international category with the United States.
Jayshannet Zapata, competing in the 54-kilogram division, earned a silver medal after a hard-fought bout against Kazakhstan’s Zhaina Shekerbekova. Despite the loss, Zapata’s journey to the silver medal was remarkable, as she was the only American boxer to compete in four bouts throughout the week. Her performance included two unanimous decision victories and culminated in her first international medal.
The USA Boxing team’s success in Helsinki was guided by National Development Coach Edward Fonteneaux, along with assistants Holly Gregson, Billy Rafalko, and Ronald Wright. Their leadership and expertise were instrumental in the team’s outstanding performance.
The 2026 Gee Bee Boxing Tournament saw the following results on Sunday, April 12:
- Women’s 54 kg: Jayshannet Zapata vs. Zhaina Shekerbekova, KAZ | L 4-1
- Men’s 55 kg: Moises Rodriguez vs. Badr Eddine Bouraouia, ITA | W 5-0
- Women’s 57 kg: Deborah Grant vs. Alice Bennedbaek, DEN | W RSC-2
- Men’s 90+ kg: Nnajai Wright vs. Dilvan Yeazgan, GER | W 5-0
The medalists for Team USA are:
- Moises Rodriguez (55 kilograms) – Gold
- Deborah Grant (57 kilograms) – Gold
- Nnajai Wright (90+ kilograms) – Gold
This tournament not only highlighted the individual talents of the American boxers but also showcased the depth and strength of the USA Boxing program. With all eight boxers returning home with medals, the future looks bright for American boxing on the international stage.
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