Three Euro golds for England’s females

September 10, 2019 | by Matt Halfpenny

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A hat-trick of victories from Caroline Dubois, Gemma Richardson and Emily Asquith helped England finish joint top of the females medal table –  along with Italy, claiming three golds each – at the EUBC European Youth Championships 2019.

The trio were confidence personified in underlining their previous European successes at various levels in Sofia Bulgaria.

England’s fourth finalist, Pinewood’s Adam Azim was beaten unanimously on points, but the scoreline did not reflect a tight bout against his Russian opponent.

Repton’s Dubois improved her incredible unbeaten run to 40 contests in the course of her victory at 60kg to seal a fourth European title.

She picked up a close but deserved points 4-1 decision against her Russian opponent, Nune Asatrian, who she twice beat last year to clinch a World and European titles double.

Relentless pressure from Richardson (pictured below), of Scunthorpe, helped her negate the 15cm height and significant reach advantages of tall German Stefanie Von Berge

The 64kg contest was a contrast of styles, but the Three Lions boxer eventually came through 3-2 as her more aggressive approach won the day – for a third European title –  against a counter-punching opponent.

Southpaw Asquith (pictured below) picked her shots well against a diminutive Turkish opponent Elanur Sagit in the 81kg division, having already beaten a strong Russian at the semi-final stages.

And as the contest went on, the Bridlington boxer pulled away in the last round to take gold with a unanimous 5-0 points decision, giving her a second Euro triumph after previously winning at Junior level.

Azim, meanwhile, saved his best performance of his five contests in these Championship for his final at 60kg.

The Pinewood boxer as he clipped Russian opponent Usman Magamadov to good effect before dropping a points decision that was far closer the unanimous 5-0 scoreline would suggest.

Overall, England have claimed three gold, one silver and three bronze for seven medals, adding to the five they won at the European Junior Championships and 14 at the European Schools Championships, taking their tally in the major international events during 2019 to 26.

“We’ve had a really good championships,” said Team Manager Martin Webb. “Our boxers and coaches can be really proud of  their achievements in Sofia over the last seven days of intense competition.

“England Boxing has demonstrated it has quality strength in depth, and a number of the team will now join the elite ranks in 2020.”