Claire Grace became Ireland's first medal winner at the Women's European Boxing Championships in Bucharest with a win over Turkey's Kara Guluzar in the 69kg category.
It’s the first Irish podium place at European level outside of Katie Taylor’s five gold medal wins. The Kilkenny boxer now meets England’s Stacey Copeland for a place in the final.
It’s Grace’s first time at a senior European event with the guaranteed bronze earned on the back of a bit of luck to get a bye through the preliminary round straight into a medal match.
I’m okay,” said Grace. “I’d be more tired if I’d lost. I actually boxed her a couple of years ago as a youth and she beat me that time so I kind of wanted a bit of revenge there, get my own back.”
Her win, though, was far from fortunate against a swinging Turkish fighter, who was a dangerous opponent from the outset. Control and patience, a right jab and a back left hand that began landing as the Turk slowed down impressed the judges enough for a 2-0 win.
At the beginning of the bout it looked perilous for Grace with the chance that one of Guluzar’s wildly swinging arms would make contact. But the Irish boxer probed and landed, never panicking, not even over Guluzar’s low head for which she was warned several times by the referee.
Grace meets Copeland on Friday with all the finals taking place on Saturday.
