THREE North-East boxing talents deserve to take a bow after returning from the 2022 EUBC Schools European Championships with medals.
Layla Straughan brought silver to Sunderland in Turkey while there were bronze medals for Rihanna Holden and Ruby Cuthbertson.
The achievements for the Tyne, Tees & Wear trio was part of a memorable week for Team England who won 18 medals in Erzurum Buz Hokeyi Salonu with seven golds, four silvers and seven bronze.
Straughan contested the U40 kilo final where she was gutted to be pipped 3-2 in a split decision to Ireland’s Elma Barry.
But the North Star boxer could be proud of her place on the podium.
The same goes to Cuthbertson and Holden, who deservedly brought medals back to Wearside and Teesside.
Ruby, of District Youth, put in a tremendous performance U46 kilo semi-final with Uliana Ovsepian, landing some excellent shots against the Ukraine boxer, only for the Washington girl drop a 4-1 split decision.
There followed another great display in the U57 kilo last-four bout from Holden.
The Phil Thomas School of Boxing starlet conceded age and experience to her Turkish opponent but pushed Busenur Yazan all the way to the last bell in a unanimous defeat. Well fought Hanna.
Top marks to Layla, Ruby and Hanna, and their clubs, for their achievements and all three will doubtless be back looking for a promotion on the podium next time.
They were part of a great success story for England and lead national coach Amanda Coulson and her coaches and support staff.
The seven gold medals went to Leah Paylor (U36 kilos), Harry Scandeng (U40 kilos), Rosanna Bycroft (U51 kilos), Lexie Walker (U60 kilos), Tom Connors (U52 kilos), Isaac Huczmann (U54 kilos) and Tobias Taylor (U80 kilos).
Three of Layla’s team-mates took silver, Serena Mali (U40 kilos), Noah Barney Smith (U48 kilos) and John Boy Hodgkins (U57 kilos).
The bronze medal winners were George Francis (U42 kilos), George Ralph (U44 kilos), Ruby Took (U48 kilos), Tony McCarthy (U60kilos) and Johnny Crittenden (U63 kilos).
England’s tally of 18 medals beat their previous record of 14, set in 2019, but a well done must go to the entire squad, and staff
“Before we came out to Turkey, I was asked what success would look like,” said Coulson.
“My response was that I wanted to see boxers fulfilling their potential and boxing to the best of their ability and that the results would then look after themselves.
“That is what has happened.
“We put the preparation in place and gave these kids the opportunity to succeed and they have grasped it with both hands.
“We look like a fantastically professional outfit, and to get an England record 18 medals – we honestly feel it would have been 19 but for Bailey (Wilding’s) nosebleed – is phenomenal.
“If you’d have said before we travelled here that more than half the team would be in a final then we would have taken it – it’s a brilliant achievement.”
Words: Roy Kelly Picture: England Boxing
