(NOT 23) The reigning champion
Finland’s Mira Potkonen missed the opportunity of defending her
Golden Girl championship title when this year’s event took place
at the Boråshallen, Borås, Sweden this weekend.
Sadly Mira had to withdraw due to
injuries sustained in recent tournaments and underwent treatment
in her home country in an effort to be back at her best for next
year’s European Olympic qualifiers in Turkey and the AIBA World
Elite championships in Astana, Kazakhstan in May.
In her absence this year’s title went to Team Russia’s Tatiana
Zrazhevskaya who annexed the 57kg title defeating compatriot
Elena Gradinar 2:0 in the final.
In reaching their verdict, the jury took into consideration all
the bouts in Boras and gave the following explanation as to how
they reached their decision.
“With an aura of strength she rules the ring. Fast hands and
with great power. She knows all distances and is very hard to
hit. A world class boxer. Salute the new Champ! Tatyana
Zrazhevskaya”!
Tournament organiser, Ray Husac
had said on Saturday: “Since our two time champion, Mira
Potkonen can ́t be here and defend her title it is an open race
for the GOLDEN GIRL crown. The ‘title’ is what the whole
tournament is about. It is not enough to just win your fights,
you have to show greatness in all areas in the ring, both
offensive and defensive boxing, you have to be a master of class
and really impress the jury. You have to give the audience a
little extra, you have to be the best boxer all categories in
the tournament and win the fights. You have to be the best to
win the title and be THE GOLDEN GIRL”. More than 240 women took
part this year – a record.
So who else impressed this year? England’s Stacey Copeland
struck Gold in the 69kg weight division, overcoming fancied Finn
Elina Gustafsson in the semi-final 3:0 and followed that up with
another comprehensive victory (3:0) over the host nation’s
Linnea Molin,on Sunday. Switzerland’s ‘evergreen’ Sandra Brugger
took the 60kg lightweight title at the expense of Russia’s Anna
Bobyreva (2:0) whilst another Swede, the ever improving Ida
Lundblad is the new champion at the 64kg light welter weight.
The visiting team from Dublin claimed a stunning 14 medals at
the tournament including six Golds.
The 2015 The Golden Girl Championship trophies went to:
THE GOLDEN GIRL: Tatiana Zrazhevskaya – Team Russia
Best senior: Sandra Brugger _ Team Swiss
Best youth: Ellie Scotney – Lynn AC, England
Best junior: Carmen Mavrodin – Team Dublin
Best Diploma: Jessica Triebelova – Slovakia
Best Showmanship: Gloria De Almeida – France
Best Technical boxer: Gloria De Almeida – France
Fight of the Year: Stacey Copeland, Bradbury,England vs Elina
Gustavsson, Finland
Best Slugger/Brawler: Ida Lundblad, Göteborg Team Box
Best Judge: Mats Olander, Sweden
Best Referee: Benjamin Jagel – Team Swiss
Best Club/Team: Team Dublin
Prize from Swedish group ”Punchpralinerna” for Swedish boxers:
Best newcomer : Katrin Norén – IF linnea
