site.btaUPDATED U23 European Boxing Championships for Men, Women Kick Off in Sofia

The U23 European Boxing Championships for men and women kicked off in Sofia on Saturday. Opened by Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Stoyan Andonov at Sofia Hall, the tournament will run until October 20. A total of 340 boxers from 34 countries will participate.

"I am honoured that Bulgaria is hosting this sports forum. I would like to thank the organizers who worked hard to make this competition possible," Andonov said.

Bulgarian Boxing Federation President Krasimir Ininski addressed the attendees and wished the participating athletes success. EUBC Technical Delegate of the championships Dragoljub Radovic and EUBC Secretary General Kirill Shchekutyev were also among the official guests.

The Bulgarian team at the tournament is made up of 11 boxers: Nikolay Marinov, Radoslav Rosenov, Krasimir Dzhurov, Rumen Rumenov, Blagovest Nedelchev, William Cholov, Miroslav Dimitrov, Mykyta Gorbatenko, Daliya Raycheva, Tala Khabbas, and Valeria Andreeva.

On Saturday, Radoslav Rosenov made an impressive start in his quest for a third consecutive title at the U23 European Boxing Championships. The Bulgarian defeated Hungary’s Kruzito Kovacs by a 5-0 unanimous decision in his first bout in the U60kg category. Rosenov's victory secures him a spot in the second round on Sunday.

Nikolay Marinov lost 0-5 to Georgia’s Gor Ayvazyan in the U57kg bout.

Miroslav Dimitrov won over Poland's Sebastian Kusz in the U80 kg category. 

Daliya Raycheva lost to Georgia's Lana Bolkvadze in the 60kg bout.

During the European Championships, there will also be celebrations on the occasion of the 100th anniversary of organized boxing in Bulgaria. The central event will take place at 6:30 p.m. on October 18 in Sofia Hall, bringing together some of the biggest names in Bulgarian boxing.