Laila Abdullatif writes history for Cyprus at the Junior EUBC

The 52 semi-finals took place on the 7th competition day at the EUBC Junior European Boxing Championships in Tbilisi today. Cyprus’ Laila Abdullatif writes a new history for the country becoming the finalist of the competitions.

In total, 19 countries earned at least one medal in Tbilisi, and among them, thirteen have boxers in the finals. Russia and Ukraine are the most successful nations at the tournament.

Georgia’s Gor Ayvazyan defeated his neighboring rival in the pinweight (46kg)

The anticipated battle in the men’s pinweight (46kg) was held between Georgia’s Gor Ayvazyan and Armenia’s Erik Arstamyan. The Armenian moved ahead without any pause in the first round and tried to dictate the high tempo and surprise Ayvazyan. Arstamyan’s hands were like guns in the opening minutes and he had an advantage after the first round. Ayvazyan proved that he is also a real fighter and began the second round in the same rhythm as the Armenian the first. Their contest was a manly battle, and Ayvazyan advanced to the finals. The Georgian boxer’s last opponent will be Ukraine’s Renat Chubrevychev who eliminated Russia’s Viacheslav Rogozin.

“This was not my first tough bout at this championships. I felt it is not so easy but I could win this difficult semi-final. I am so thankful for my team coaches, my personal trainer and all of my fans in Georgia. This will be my second final at European Boxing Championships after 2019 and I am looking forward to it,” said Georgia’s Gor Ayvazyan.

Cyprus’ 15-year-old Laila Abdullatif writes new history for her country

Laila Abdullatif from Cyprus won the title of the 2019 EUBC European Schoolgirls Boxing Championships in Tbilisi and returned to continue her unbeaten record in the recent two years. She defeated Russia’s Viktoria Sharova in the final of the Nations Junior Cup one month ago and tried to control their re-match in Tbilisi. Abdullatif landed quicker punches and controlled the first round against the 15-year-old Russian. The Cyprian used excellent hooks to catch the rival and her game strategy worked well in the second and third rounds. Abdullatif will be boxing for her next title with Italy’s Graziella Schininina who eliminated Turkey’s Humeyra Balta.

“I met with this Russian girl in an international event in Serbia and I defeated her. This time it was much easier for me, I felt I can beat her once again. I believe the last round was the best for me in this semi-final. The final is coming soon and I am ready for the next gold medal,” said  Abdullatif.

Germany’s Mei-Li Folk amazed once again

Germany’s Mei-Li Folk astonished on the previous stages of the women’s bantamweight (54kg) in Tbilisi and she prepared a hard work against Serbia’s Dragana Jovanovic who claimed a silver medal at the EUBC Junior European Boxing Championships last November. The German southpaw landed excellent hooks and jabs from a long-distance against the attacking Serbian. Folk performed even better in the second round and she knew how to handle with her Serbian opponent in their semi-final. The German overcame Jovanovic also in the third round and eliminated the last year’s finalist. She will meet with Russia’s Evita Averyanova in the gold medal bout.

“I was expecting a hard battle against the Serbian who is physically strong. I did not feel the distance well in the first round but from the second I found the right combinations against Jovanovic. I believe that the second round was my best today so I can go for the gold now,” commented her success Germany’s Mei-Li Folk who had the technical advantage today.

Novinskaya vs. Sebe for the final of the women’s lightweight (60kg)

Russia’s Daria Novinskaya defeated Italy’s EUBC European Schoolgirls Champion Valentina Marra in the final of the Junior Nations Cup one month ago and the two experienced talents met once again in the semi-finals of the EUBC Junior European Boxing Championships. The 16-year-old Russian used a similar aggressive style as in her quarter-final but Marra had good footwork to avoid most of the attacks. The Russian southpaw worked better in the attacks and defeated her main Italian rival once again. Therefore, Novinskaya can box for the title with Romania’s Andrea Sebe who eliminated Turkey’s Sudenaz Ballioglu with an excellent performance. Sebe used brilliant technical skills against the brave Turkish boxer and won the second semi-final in Tbilisi which is Romania’s first final place.

“I started boxing in 2017 and I would like to make my father proud of my results. My dream is to go the Olympic Games in 2024 but first I have an important final ahead in Tbilisi against a good Russian boxer,” said Romania’s Andrea Sebe after her semi-final.

Hungary’s No.1 Levente Olah is a finalist in Tbilisi

Hungary’s Levente Olah won all of his previous contests by RSC in the first round, and his semi-final rival, Turkey’s Abdulsamet Eroglu tried to survive the most dangerous opening two minutes. Olah caught his Turkish opponent a few times in the first round and he landed seriously strong shots also in the second. His Turkish opponent received three warnings in the semi-final and the referee disqualified him from the competition. Olah will be boxing for his first title with Russia’s Junior National Champion Ivan Chindykov who had a tough semi-final against Bulgaria’s Konstantin Kostov.

“I was expecting my Turkish rival to move a lot trying to avoid my punches. I did not expect that he would get so many cautions and warnings in the bout. I could not catch him as strong as I wanted but I won today and I have the chance to win the gold medal on Sunday,” commented his success Hungary’s 16-year-old Levente Olah.

Day 8 finals schedule of the EUBC Junior European Boxing Championships

The finals are scheduled after the rest day at the EUBC Junior European Boxing Championships in Tbilisi this Sunday. Twenty-six champions will be crowned in the Georgian capital. Watch it live on the AIBA Youtube channel.