Northern Ireland open the Commonwealth Youth Games with four perfect victories
September 7th, 2015 / All
The boxing tournament of the fifth Commonwealth Youth Games has started in Apia, Samoa with preliminary bouts involving the Light Flyweight (49 kg), Flyweight (52 kg), Bantamweight (56 kg), Lightweight (60 kg), Light Welterweight (64 kg), Welterweight (69 kg) and Middleweight (75 kg) weight classes.
Bout of the day
England’s Dalton Smith is one of the most established athletes among boxers in Samoa, and the 18-year-old English Lightweight opened his tournament with a victory over Australia’s current Youth National Champion Harrison Garside.
The Australian began the proceedings in style, before Smith started to take control of the bout in the second round.
Smith continued his strong form in the third round, and ultimately secured a close, but deserved triumph against his Australian rival.
Team of the day
Northern Ireland enjoyed an exceptional first day of competition, as all four of their competing athletes reached the next round.
Irish Youth National Championships silver medallist Stephen McKenna began their success by defeating Tanzania’s Steven Anastazi Pius by split decision, before EUBC European Junior Continental Championships quarter-finalist James McGivern stopped Papua New Guinea’s Beupu Noki at Bantamweight.
Irish Youth National Champion Tiernan Bradley then outpointed Eric Ngema Nthethelelo, while Light Welterweight Aidan Walsh performed excellently against Seychelles’ Edrian Volcere.
Surprise of the day
Singapore’s 17-year-old Prithiv Raaj Elansharan was not the favourite in his Flyweight bout with Pakistan’s Muhammad Nadeem, but delivered a career best performance to eliminate his talented opponent.
The Round-Up
India’s Gaurav Solanki outpointed Bangladesh’s Muhammad Robin Mia in a great contest, while Zambia’s Nkumbu Silongwe needed just two minutes to defeat Nauru’s Bris-Payne Akubor.
Fact of the day
74 men’s boxers are taking part in the boxing tournament of the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Quote of the day
“First of all, thanks for everyone who supported me in my preparation for the Commonwealth Youth Games. This was my first fight which is always hard, but it is done, and it was stopped in the third round so I am looking forward so much my next bout against a boxer from Botswana,” said Northern Ireland’s James McGivern.
Tomorrow’s program
The second competition day will see twenty-seven quarter-finals take place, where the winners will be one victory away from a guaranteed medal.
