AmateurHeadline News

Christina Desmond falls just short of European Women’s Championship bronze

Christina Desmond was unable to make it back to back Irish wins over Russian opposition in the European Women’s Championship in Madrid today.

Just over an hour after Amy Broadhurst was celebrating a podium securing victory over 2014 World Champion Anastasia Belokova of Russia, fellow Irish southpaw Desmond was attempting to guarantee herself at least a bronze with victory over No. 2 seed Darima Sandakova, who hails from the same Parrish.

Howerver, whilst the Cork welter weight cruised into the quarter-finals of the European Women’s Elite Championships in Madrid,  she found it more difficult against a top Russian amateur.

A middleweight bronze medal winner at the 2016 Europeans and former World Youth finalist, Desmond couldn’t add welterweight medal to add to the collection.

Desmond ultimately lost out in a tight fight via split decision and a scorecard of  28-29, 28-29, 27-30, 27-30, 29-28.

The first round was right the Macroom fighter found it hard to pin down the good on her feet Russian, but whilst she may have been out landed she did manage to find a home for some big shots.

The second round was similar with  Sandakova moving well but not being overly active. She still looked on course to win the round, but Desmond timed three late back hands to put her in contention or at the very least make it another close stanza. 

Sandakova came out more aggressive in the third, but it only allowed Desmond to land some impressive right hook back hands. Even when the Russian reverted to hit and move type the Cork fighters timing was now in and she landed the better shots down the stretch.

The result means two of the four fighters sent by Ireland to the competition will bring home medals.  Aoife O’Rourke and Boradhurst will now look to change bronze to silver during Friday’s semi finals.

Cerrie Smith bowed out at the last 16 stage of the flyweight installment.

dpg

Jonny Stapleton

Irish-boxing.com contributor for 15 years and editor for the past decade. Have been covering boxing for over 16 years and writing about sports for a living for over 20 years. Former Assistant Sports editor for the Gazette News Paper Group and former Tallaght Voice Sports Editor. Have had work published in publications around the world when working as a freelance journalist. Also co-founder of Junior Sports Media and Leinster Rugby PRO of the Year winner. email: editoririshboxing@gmail.com

x