Ergunal Sebakhtin, Javier Ibanez, Yasen Radev and Radoslav Rosenov brought four new medals for Bulgaria from the European Boxing Championship in Belgrade.
Sebakhtin opened today’s program in the best possible way with quarterfinal matches. The vice-champion of 2022 qualified in an undisputed way for the semi-finals in the category up to 48 kilograms in the Serbian capital after success over Hasan Malikov (Azerbaijan). The Bulgarian boxer compensated with very quick actions the height advantage of his opponent and deserved a clear success with 5:0 votes.
For our national team, it was a return to the international stage after the hand surgery he underwent last year. Tomorrow, Sebakhtin will meet Edmond Khudoyan (Russia) for a place in the final. So far, Bulgaria already has 7 medals in Belgrade.
In the category up to 57 kilograms, Javier Ibanez rejected Danil Okoman (Moldova) in the second round and qualified for the semi-finals in the Serbian capital. The champion from the European Games in Krakow started the match a little more passively, but in the second round he unleashed his potential and the referee gave Okoman a double count. In the second, the referee called an end to the fight and Javier continued in convincing fashion to the semi-finals. Tomorrow, the national will compete for a place in the final against Samuel Kistouri (France).
Yasen Radev secured the ninth medal for Bulgaria. In the category up to 54 kilograms, he imposed his will on the tough Italian Tommaso Sciacca with a 5:0 judge’s vote and qualified for the semi-finals. Radev won his first European Championship medal for men. The national did not take a single step back against Sciacca, was convincing in the first two rounds and, although he slowed down in the third, deserved the victory and at least a bronze award. For a place in the final tomorrow, Radev will face Dmitry Dvali (Russia).
In the 60-kilogram category, the winner of the “Strandja” cup, Radoslav Rosenov, won by unanimous decision over Artur Tuniev from Belarus. Rosenov was a class above his opponent and looked like he finished without even breaking a sweat. In contention for a place in the final, Rosenov will face Artur Sahakyan of Armenia.
Historically, Bulgaria has not won more than 9 medals from one European Championship. The peak was in 1989 in Athens, when our boxers won 3 gold, 1 silver and 5 bronze medals.
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Tags: medals Bulgaria European boxing championship Belgrade world country
