Anapa: Unfortunate defeat for Szczukowski; Polish fighters learn their opponents

The 18th European Junior Championships (formerly cadet championships) began today in the Russian city of Anapa. The tournament features athletes born in 1998 and 1999. A total of 254 boxers from 33 countries, including a six-member Polish team, have entered the competition.

Piotr Szczukowski (52 kg) was the first Polish fighter to enter the ring. However, the Boxing Team Chojnice representative lost a split decision on points (1-2) to Ukraine’s Vadym Baluba. Only German judge Thomas Riebe saw the Polish boxer as having the edge, scoring the bout 29-28. The Swedish and French judges sided with his opponent, awarding him victory by scores of 30-27 and 29-28, respectively.

How did the draw work out for Poland’s remaining representatives, led in Anapa by coaches Karol Chabros and Marcin Gruchała?

Damian Durkacz (Garda Gierałtowice, 48 kg) will cross gloves with Belarusian Mikita Romash on Monday. If he wins, he will advance to the quarterfinals.

Krystian Papis (RUSHH Kielce, 54 kg) will face Hungary’s Gyorgy Albert Horvath in his opening bout on Tuesday. The winner of that contest will meet the winner of the quarterfinal between Vladyslav Storchun (Ukraine) and Niklas Lukas Bartels (Austria).

Karol Kowal (Skorpion Szczecin/SMS Szczecin, 57 kg) will face Italian Francesco Iozia, a bronze medalist at last year’s European Championships, on Tuesday. If he wins, he will meet Ukraine’s Maik Stitsenka or Finland’s Arslan Khataev in the quarterfinals.

Eryk Apresyan (Zawisza Bydgoszcz, 63 kg) will box Israel’s Daniel Levin tomorrow. In the round of 16, he could face the winner of the bout between Hungary’s Marek Kontrecz and Serbia’s Djordje Bujisic.

Filip Foryś (Skorpion Szczecin, 80 kg) will enter the ring for the first time on Monday. His opponent will be Latvia’s Emils Ahadovs. If he wins, the Pole will face Lithuania’s Robertas Jokulys or Italy’s Salvatore Scala in the quarterfinals.