SOFIA, Bulgaria (February 26, 2026) – The USA Boxing Elite High Performance Team continued its impressive run at the 77th International Strandja Boxing Tournament, with five victories on the fourth day. Four of these triumphs came from the women’s team, each securing a spot in the medal rounds with unanimous decision wins.
The day’s success began with Yoseline Perez from Houston, Texas, who delivered a commanding performance against Kazakhstan’s Zhaina Shekerbekova. This victory marks Perez’s second unanimous decision win of the tournament, ensuring she will bring home a medal, her first of 2026. Perez will face England’s Lauren Mackie in the semifinals on Saturday, February 28.
Following Perez’s victory, Team USA’s women’s captain, Alyssa Mendoza from Caldwell, Idaho, also secured her second unanimous decision win of the tournament. Mendoza’s triumph over Kazakhstan’s Ulzhan Sarsenbek earned her a place in the semifinals, where she will compete against Ireland’s Michaela Walsh.
Simona Winkler from Seattle, Washington, continued the winning streak for the United States. Winkler dominated her quarterfinal match against Ukraine’s Anastasiia Chernokolenko, securing a 5-0 victory. She advances to the medal rounds in the women’s 70-kilogram weight class and will face Brazil’s Viviane Dos Santos Pereira on Saturday.
Naomi Graham, a Tokyo 2020 Olympian, closed the day with a unanimous decision victory over Kazakhstan’s Mariya Sidorenko. Graham’s experience and control were evident throughout the bout, leading to a well-deserved 5-0 win. She will now focus on the medal rounds in the 75-kilogram weight class, where she will compete against Uzbekistan’s Aziz Zokirova on Saturday.
In addition to the women’s victories, Lavant Brownlee from Louisville, Kentucky, advanced to the quarterfinals of the men’s 70-kilogram division via a walkover against Armenia’s Harutyun Hakobkokhyan. Brownlee will face Kazakhstan’s Uulu Mukhammedsabry Bazarbay on Friday, February 27.
Marcus Luther from Washington, D.C., also competed on Thursday in the men’s 65-kilogram weight class. Despite a strong effort, Luther lost a 4-1 decision to his Kazakhstani opponent.
Looking ahead to Friday’s matches, Team USA will have five men’s boxers competing in the quarterfinals. Lorenzo Patricio from Waianae, Hawaii, will start the day against Uzbekistan’s Samandar Olimov in the 55-kilogram division. Salim Ellis-Bey from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, will follow, taking on Brazil’s Luiz Oliveira, a 2025 World Boxing Championships silver medalist, in the 60-kilogram division.
The USA Boxing team’s performance at the Strandja Tournament continues to impress, with the women’s team leading the charge towards the medal rounds. The upcoming matches promise to deliver more exciting action and showcase the talent and determination of these elite athletes.
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