England Performance crowned Best Team at the 2026 U17 European Championships

England Performance enjoyed a sensational U17 European Championships in Budva, Montenegro, claiming the Best Team trophy after an outstanding haul of 10 medals: seven gold, two silver and one bronze.

Across nine days of competition, the England squad produced a series of impressive performances to finish top of the team standings, underlining the strength of the England Performance Pathway.

Seven boxers struck gold on Finals Day, with Summer Grigg (Second City), Lilly Green (Platinum), Shiloh McLeod (TM Boxing), Letitia McKee (Birkenhead Venture), Charlie Keet (Heart of Portsmouth), Emily Denham (Aycliffe) and Ivor Lee (Manor BA) all overcoming their opponents to become European champions.

Delilah Lambert (Laisterdyke) and John Elam (Platinum) also reached their respective finals to claim silver medals, while Noah Worth (Billingham) completed England’s medal tally with bronze.

Adding to the team’s success, Letitia McKee was named Best Female Boxer of the tournament after an exceptional campaign in which she competed four times and defeated opponents from Armenia, Russia, Türkiye and Ukraine to secure her second European title.

The accolade capped a memorable competition for McKee, who returned to the European stage determined to put last year’s U17 European Championships exit against Italy behind her.

Reflecting on her achievement, McKee said: “Winning the Best Female of the U17 Europeans trophy means the world to me.

“I know I boxed to the best of my ability in every fight and left everything in the ring in every round. I went into each bout with a point to prove, and I’m proud that I was able to go out there and make a statement.

“I couldn’t have done it without the support of my coaches, my club and everyone who has been part of my journey.

“I’m incredibly grateful for all the support, and I’m excited to keep building on this success.”

Heart of Portsmouth’s Charlie Keet also enjoyed a tournament to remember, becoming European champion after negotiating five bouts against opponents from Latvia, Bulgaria, Greece, North Macedonia and Moldova.

The Southern Counties boxer was delighted to add a European gold medal to his achievements and paid tribute to those who had supported his journey.

Keet said: “I’m extremely proud to have represented my country and the team at the U17 Europeans, and even more so to have brought home a gold medal.

“It’s a massive achievement, and it’s proof that hard work, dedication and never giving up pays off.

“To be a European gold medallist means everything to me, and I want to thank my England coaches, my club coaches and everyone who has been supporting my journey every step of the way.”

National coach John Hodkinson led the coaching team in Montenegro and was quick to recognise the collective effort behind England’s outstanding medal haul.

Hodkinson said: “This has been an incredible performance by the England Boxing U17 team at the 2026 European Championships in Budva, Montenegro, and we proudly return home crowned as the European Champions.

“A huge thank you to European Boxing and World Boxing for organising an outstanding competition and to everyone in Budva for the exceptional hospitality and warm welcome shown to Team England.

“We arrived with a fantastic group of well-prepared boxers whose hard work, dedication and commitment throughout the year has been rewarded on the biggest stage. My sincere thanks to all England Pathway coaches, club coaches, boxers, parents, carers and families across the country who gave their precious time and support to make this achievement possible.

“I am particularly grateful to my U17 coaching team: Naadrah Hafeez, Warren Davies, Michelle Nelson and Gavin Rickelton. Their incredible work throughout the year has been instrumental in this success.

“England Performance’s accountability to REP: Respectful, Enjoyable and Professional is always at the forefront of everything we have done.

“Our unrelenting pursuit of excellence has put this team on top of the podium. An incredible achievement for the England Boxing U17’s team.”

Final Standings

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