Lily boxes clever to secure podium finish at Youth Olympics

Londoner Lily Bassett added to Team GB’s medal tally at the Youth Olympics in Dakar.

The 16-year-old from Tooting brought home bronze in the Under 48kg division which was later followed by teammate, Michael Maughan’s gold.

And there were further honours for the pair when they were chosen as Team GB flag bearers at the closing ceremony in the Senegalese capital.

The four-time European Champion powered into the semi-finals in her bid to emulate fellow Brit Caroline Dubois, a gold medallist in Buneos Aires in 2018 before blazing a trail through the professional ranks to become world champion.

Bassett stopped Turkey’s Azra Nur Cetin in the last 16 and then did likewise to Mongolia’s Altanzul Altangadas in the quarter-finals.

The latter victory set-up a head-to head with Gunjan Gunjan of India for a place in the final.

And it was Gunjan who prevailed before going on to gain a convincing final win over Algeria’s Bouthania Bensalah.

“I’m feeling really proud to have won it at the age of 16,” she said of her podium placing. “Representing my country is a really nice honour.

“I want to thank my coaches back at TM Boxing and also my mum, dad and twin sister for flying out here to support me.”

And Bassett is determined to use the disappointment to spur her on to bigger and better victories. And she already has sights set on representing Great Britain at the Olympic Games in the future.

“I’ve always got 100% belief and faith in myself that I can come out on top,” she previously stated.

“I think it come true for me. I am one of the most decorated amateur boxers at my age. I think my dedication, my talent and my hard work will all be worth it.”

Bassett is part of GB Boxing’s “Future Olympic Medal Strategy” cohort which has a focus on Brisbane 2032 and beyond.