The IBA Youth Men’s and Women’s World Boxing Championships held its spectacular Opening Ceremony tonight in Budva, Montenegro – with 73 national teams in attendance.

The host nation Montenegro flew their flag tonight supported by a choir singing the national anthem and an adoring home crowd.

After the Parade of Athletes, President of the Boxing Association of Montenegro, Alexander Klemenko addressed the crowd, with speeches also from Dragoslav Scekic, Minister of Sports and Youth for Montenegro, and Jasna Dokic, Vice-president of the Municipality of Budva.

IBA President Umar Kremlev delivered a speech through video address to the participants.

‘I congratulate everyone on the opening of the World Championships,’ said Mr. Kremlev. ‘IBA is your boxing home, and I am always your brother, always be by your side. I wish a great spectacle for the fans, boxers and coaches to show their true class in boxing.’

‘It is a great honour for me to stand in front of you as Vice-president of Budva,’ said Dokic. ‘I welcome you to our beautiful town, I hope that you have a great time in our town and these fights will be spectacular for you and for everyone in these World Championships.’

Following the speeches, IBA Technical Delegate for the event, Wayne Rose, represented the IBA in thanking the organizers of the competition.

A total of 593 boxers – 180 women and 413 men – are participating in the event.

Competition begins tomorrow on 23 October with three sessions a day, until the quarter-finals stage on 29 and 30 October. Semi-finals are scheduled for October 31, followed by two days of finals on 2 and 3 November.

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Media contacts:

Elena Sobol, Head of Communications and PR, International Boxing Association: elena.sobol@iba.sport

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