Dracula Open (11-19 february) had yesterday in Olimpia Sport Hall from Ploiesti last day of competition. After first days of finals, 17 february – junior girls and youth women, Ukraine was the best team with 8 gold medals. On the second place was Romania with 6 gold medals. Hungary – Patricia Petriman (48 kg) and Martina Vassallo (50 kg) took the awards for best junior girl and for best youth women. The competition established a new record of participation: 350 boxers from 22 countries.
Uzbekistan took 5 gold medals at Junior Boys
Uzbekistan and Azerbaidjan dominated the finals of junior boys. Uzbekistan took 5 gold medals at 48, 50, 57, 63 and 75 kg. The only uzbek who lost in Dracula Open was Artur Kenesbayev in front of strong azer Safdan Mammail. Azer boxer sent his opponent at the floor in first round and Referee stoped the contest. Azerbaidjan took another 3 gold medals at 52 kg, 54 kg and 70 kg. Subhan Babaev (54 kg) took the award for best junior men boxer. Romania took 3 gold medals at 46 kg – Andrei Virson at 60 kg – Nica Renato (bronze medalist at 2023 EUBC European Junior Championship) and at 60 kg – Costache Adrian. Poland secured one gold medal at 80 kg. Kajetan Bajert defeated his teammate from Poland Borys Plachta with 4-1.
7 finals Ukraine vs Uzbekistan
Ukraine and Uzbekistan was the teams with highest numbers of boxers in the finals of youth men: 9 and 10 boxers. This two countries fought for best team of Dracula Open. Ukraine started the finals of youth men with 8 gold medals while Uzbekistan had 5 gold medals. 7 finals from 13 was Ukraine vs Uzbekistan. Ukraine took 4 finals versus Uzbekistan opponents at 51 kg, 63,5 kg, 71 kg and 80 kg and lost at 54 kg, 57 kg and plus 92 kg. The most disputed finals was at 63,5 kg where Artur Kuzmenko defeated Elbek Bahtiyorov. Ukraine boxer, winner of Dracula Open in 2023 at 60 kg, won clearly last round and convinced the judges to give him the decision. In the semifinal, Kuzmenko defeated romanian viceeuropean champion Arun Todoroiu.
Azerbaidjan took 2 gold medals at 48 kg – Bilalkabasc Nazarov (5-0 with Olecsandr Zvieriev) and at 60 kg.
Azer Gasirsade was the best boxer of youth men finals
Mohammedali Gasirsade defeated Norkosimov Mironshox after the most spectacular fight of youth finals and took gold medal at 60 kg and also the award of the best boxer of youth men.
Armenia and Wales took also gold medals
David Simonian (92 kg) was the only armenian who took gold medal at Dracula Open. Armenia also with the strong team has 3 finalist but world junior champion from 2023 lost finals at 67 kg and Norair Harobian (86 kg) lost against Daniel Pitt from Walles.
Ukraine took the award for best team of the tournament.
