Graczyk advances to last eight in Rotterdam

20.10.2011

Karolina Graczyk (Photo: Tibor Kincses)


Poland's 25-year-old reigning AIBA Women's World Championships bronze medallist Karolina Graczyk followed up her impressive opening win with another victory after stopping Croatia's National Champion Marija Zovko in the Lightweight category. The Polish star advanced to the last eight where she will meet Russia's two-time AIBA World Champion Sofya Ochigava, who comfortably eliminated the English prospect Chantelle Cameron 20:9.


Russia's defending European Champion, 23-year-old Svetlana Gnevanova had a close battle with Turkey's newcomer Meltem Akar. The experienced Russian Light Flyweight boxer advanced to the quarter-finals by defeating her young rival 14:11.


Romania's AIBA World Championships silver medallist and European Champion Steluta Duta also made a successful debut in Rotterdam where she eliminated Slovenia's Mateja Rajteric. The final verdict of their contest was 15:3 to Duta.


Bulgaria's EU Champion and Strandja Memorial Tournament winner Stoyka Petrova caused a huge surprise in Rotterdam when she eliminated 31-year-old former AIBA World Champion Olesya Gladkova. With the two boxers sharing the points at the end of the bout, it was Petrova who was victorious when the judges ruled in her favour in this Flyweight category fight.


Italy's 29-year-old EU Champion Valeria Calabrese maintained her winning streak in Rotterdam when she eliminated a major contender in the form of Turkey's former European Champion Sumeyra Yazici, with the final result 6:2.


Russia's National Champion Yelena Savelyeva, who secured a silver medal at the last edition of the championships in the Light Flyweight division, stopped Bosnia & Herzegovina's last remaining fighter in Rotterdam, Natasa Zerajic. The referee stepped in to end the one-sided contest in the second round of this Bantamweight category bout.


23-year-old two-time National Champion Natalya Biryuk became the first athlete to knock another out in these championships. The young Ukrainian boxer sent Armenia's newcomer Karine Gevorgyan sprawling to the canvas within two minutes of the first round,  advancing in the process to the competition's last 8.


Three-time AIBA World Champion Katie Taylor, awarded the best boxer trophy in 2008, took another step towards gold as the 25-year-old Irish superstar completely dominated Italy's Boxam Tournament winner Romina Marenda to win 22:3.


European Championships bronze medallist Helena Falk moved up a weight division to the Lightweights to compete in the 2012 London Olympic Games. The veteran Swedish boxer advanced to the Top8 after beating Spain's Jennifer Miranda 20:6 and now stands a good chance of reaching the medals in Rotterdam.


Turkey's two-time AIBA World Champion and titleholder Gulsum Tatar won her second bout in the Light Welterweight category. The favourite eliminated Greece's EU Championships bronze medallist Christina Athanasopoulou with a score of 11:1.


England's 21-year-old AIBA World Championships silver medallist and EU Champion Savannah Marshall is one of the big favourites in the Middleweight division and showcased her excellent technique against Ireland's Sinead Kavanagh. The fledgling Marshall overwhelmed her Irish rival by an impressive 24:3 and will now meet with Poland's former European Youth Champion Lidia Fidura.


One of the best local boxers, Netherlands' 24-year-old EU Champion Nouchka Fontijn also advanced to the last eight of the Middleweight category after defeating Bulgaria's veteran European Championships bronze medallist Desislava Lazarova 16:6. Her next opponent will be two-time AIBA World Champion Monika Kovacs of Hungary with a place on teh podium awaiting the winner.


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