Latvia's Markuss Reke reaches European U-19 boxing semifinal, secures at least bronze
Latvian boxer Markuss Reke has advanced to the semifinals of the European U-19 Boxing Championships in Serbia in the under-90kg category, guaranteeing himself at least a bronze medal. Fellow Latvian Timurs Gulbis was eliminated in the quarterfinals.
Latvian boxer Markuss Reke reached the semifinals of the European U-19 Boxing Championships on Tuesday in Loznica, Serbia, in the under-90kg weight category, securing at least a bronze medal for himself.
In the quarterfinal, Reke convincingly defeated Italy's Alesio Ballarino by unanimous decision, 5-0. Earlier, on Saturday, he had won his bout against Armenia's Vardan Avetisyan with a clear advantage in the third round.
Gulbis falls in the quarterfinals
Another Latvian representative, Timurs Gulbis, competing in the under-70kg category, lost his quarterfinal bout to Ukraine's Bohdan Kozak by points decision, 1-4, and was eliminated from the tournament.
Several other Latvian boxers had already been eliminated after losing their opening bouts: Vladislavs Ustinovs (under-85kg), Romans Iljins (under-65kg), Nords Rudens (under-75kg), Kirils Salkovskis (under-80kg), and in the women's competition, Estere Zulpa (under-57kg).
Last year's success
At last year's European U-19 Championships, held in Ostrava, Czech Republic, Latvian boxer Nikita Prohovskis won a bronze medal in the under-85kg category.
This year's European U-19 Boxing Championships in Loznica will conclude on Saturday. The tournament brings together 354 athletes from 36 countries.
