(JAN 21) The 2020 Olympic qualifiers in each continent are now but weeks away so essential that all the world's top boxers get 'last minute practice' so they are well prepared for the daunting tasks ahead. which for an Elite few will eventually lead to Gold, Silver or Bronze in Tokyo this Summer.

The 71st Strandja tournament is thus for boxers of all nationalities and not just from Europe an important first step to hopefully fulfilling that dream. Indeed much to the annoyance of many in the boxing world, strong rumours continue to suggest that in the actual qualifiers several Pro boxers including some World champions will participate in the once 'amateur' sport before the International Boxing Association allowed Pro's to enter for Rio 2016.

Eight Irish boxers are in action on the opening day of the 71st Strandja multi-nations in Sofia, Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Boxing begins at 9am (Irish time) tomorrow morning and a further two sessions will be decided on Tuesday afternoon and evening.

Galway super-heavy Antione O’Griofa is in against Italy’s former World champion Clemente Russo and Michaela Walsh meets Gutierrez Guadaloupe of the USA in the joint first bout of the tournament.

Kellie Harrington faces Poland’s Aneta Rygielska on Wednesday and Amy Broadhurst boxes Finland’s Mira Potkonen.

Ireland is doubling up in six weights in Sofia.

Strandja Multi-Nations Sofia, Bulgaria January 20/25

January 21st

Last 32 and 16

52kg Ceire Smith (Ireland) v Johanna Wonyou (France)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Ireland) v Gutierrez Guadaloupe (USA)
63kg George Bates (Ireland) v Lounes Hamraoui (France)
69kg Christina Desmond (Ireland) v Beatriz Soares (Brazil)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Ireland) v Love Holgersson (Sweden)
81kg Emmett Brennan (Ireland) v Stepan Hrekisl (Ukraine)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Ireland v Victor Schelstraette (Belgium)
91+kg Antione O Griofa (Ireland) v Clemente Russo (Italy)

January 22

Last 16

51kg Carly McNaul (Ireland) v Olena Savchuk (Italy) or Maria Gonzalez (Spain)
57kg Kurt Walker (Ireland) v Carlos Rocha (Brazil)
57kg Dean Clancy (Ireland) v Francesco Maietta (Italy)
60kg Kellie Harrington (Ireland) v Aneta Rygielska (Poland)
60kg Amy Broadhurst (Ireland) v Mira Potkonen (Finland)
63kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) v Paolo Di Lernia (Italy)
69kg Aidan Walsh (Ireland) v Johnson Delante (USA) or Vincenzo Mangiacapre (Italy)
69kg Kieran Molloy (Ireland) v Sing Negi (India) or Mateuusz Polski (Poland)
75kg Michael Nevin (Ireland) v Herbert Souza (Brazil)

Irish squad

Female

51kg Ceire Smith (Cavan) and Carly McNaul (Holy Family)
57kg Michaela Walsh (Monkstown, Antrim)
60kg Kellie Harrington (St Mary’s) and Amy Broadhurst (Dealgan)
69kg Christina Desmond (Fr Horgan’s)
75kg Aoife O’Rourke (Castlerea)

Male

57kg Kurt Walker (Canal) and Dean Clancy (Sean McDermott)
63kg George Bates (St Mary’s) and Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg Aidan Walsh (Monkstown, Antrim) and Kieran Molloy (Oughterard)
75kg Michael Nevin (Portlaoise)
81kg Emmet Brennan (Dublin Docklands)
91kg Kiril Afanasev (Smithfield)
91kg+ Antoine O’Griofa (Celtic Eagles)

Staff

High-Performance Director: Bernard Dunne
Coaches: Zaur Antia, John Conlan, Dmitry Dimitruk, JP Kinsella
Physio: Lorcan McGee
Physiologist: Damien Martin
R&J: Jim Murran

You can follow the tournament via "You Tube" throughout via these links which go LIVE a few minutes before the opening bell tolls.