Golden Boy- Kurt Walker wins European Games gold
Kurt Walker is European Games champion.
The Canal BC graduate won gold with victory in Minsk this morning.
Walker performed brilliantly to secure an unanimous decision victory over Ukranian Mykola Butsenko and pick up Ireland’s first gold medal of the Olympic style tournament.
AND THE NEW EUROPEAN CHAMPION!!!
Kurt Walker is the new European Champion.
What a performance 🏅🏅🏅#TeamIreland #Minsk2019 pic.twitter.com/HTm1luSlzl
— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 30, 2019
The 24 year old looked sensational in parts of the first round and opened a cut over eye of the decorated Ukrainian. The second round was a close affair, but most argued Walker took the third.
It’s the polar opposite to his last appearance in the tournament where he exited on day one.
WATCH:
The third and final round in full as Kurt Walker won GOLD for @TeamIreland at the European Games. #TeamIreland #Minsky2019 pic.twitter.com/fgGjrYRK75
— eir Sport (@eirSport) June 30, 2019
Butsenko, the second seed to Walker’s fourth, defeated Azeri Tayfur Aliyev, Belarussian home favourite Nikalai Shakh, and German Sharafa Raman en-route to the decider. Walker, on the other hand, came through Armenian Zhirayr Sargsyan, Frenchman Samuel Kistohurry, and old rival McGrail.
Hours previously it was confirmed that Kelly Harrington will take home silver after being withdrawn from her lightweight final versus Finnish rival Mira Potkonen due to a thumb injury.
Following the conclusion of the boxing tournament Ireland will take home bronze from Michael Nevin, Gráinne Walsh, and Regan Buckley, silver via Michaela Walsh and Harrington and gold from Walker.