After nearly 10 days of intense competition, the U23 European Championships have now concluded, and the eight-strong Scotland contingent are homeward bound.
It was a history making championships for Team Scotland, as the team achieved the best ever tally at a 19+ European Championship, with one silver and two bronze medals.
The championships featured boxers from 35 national teams. There were altogether 327 participants, 109 women and 218 men from Albania, Armenia, Azerbaijan, Austria, Belgium, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bulgaria, Croatia, Czech Republic, England, Estonia, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, IBA Neutral N, IBA Neutral B, Ireland, Israel, Kosovo, Latvia, Lithuania, Moldova, Montenegro, North Macedonia, Poland, Romania, SCOTLAND, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Turkey, Ukraine and Wales.
Boxing Scotland Performance Director, Craig McEvoy, provided a reflection of the tournament:
“I am extremely proud of the whole team. We have achieved our best ever result at an Elite European Championships (19+) with one silver medal (Aaron Cullen) and two bronze medals (Alan Perrie & Caitlin Kelly).
Aaron Cullen was ‘world-class’ throughout the tournament, with excellent victories against strong Polish and Spanish opposition. He looked to pressure his opponent in the final, initiating the majority of exchanges and often landing solid attacks, however ended up on the wrong end of the decision. Aaron has had a fantastic tournament and can be extremely proud of the silver medal.
Caitlin Kelly joins an exclusive club of Scottish female European medalists. Caitlin actually had to box at a higher weight category of 70kg due to disruption to her training and preparation through an injury, so the decision was made to enter Caitlin at 70kg. Despite this, Caitlin performed superbly and rightfully takes home a European U23 medal.
Alan Perrie had three really tough contests in the 75kg category. He was just edged out in the semi-finals by the Ukrainian boxer that went on the win the tournament, and seemed to give him the most difficult contest of the championships, proving that Alan belongs at this level and that there is so much more to come from him.
Brooke Neely was very unfortunate to be on the receiving end of a head clash in the first round of her first contest, which was deemed unsuitable for continuation of the bout. Brooke will take a lot of experience from this and push on to greater things.
Josh Mullen had perhaps one of the toughest draws of the tournament, being drawn against the eventual 80kg gold medal winner in the round of 32. Despite this, Josh competed really well and showed that he belongs at this level.
Isa Akram reached his second European quarter final in as many years, and there is no doubt his talent, drive and will to succeed will see Isa reach the medal stages in future competitions.
Robert McNulty was boxing well until the referee deemed him unfit to continue. Robert will take a lot away from this tournament, and push on for the future. We know Robert belongs at this level, as he was victorious in the summer GB Elite 3-Nations against the eventual 86kg U23 European gold medallist.
Fawaz Aborode added to his experience with a tough contest against an experienced Belarussian boxer in his round of 16 contest. Fawaz has previous experience in the 2021 World Championships and 2023 Elite European Championships and this will add to that wealth of experience to help with Fawaz’s development moving forward.”
