Shannon Sweeney defeated Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Gena Chukanova by split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28, 28-29, 29-28) to win the 50kg gold at the 2024 European Elite Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.
A 2022 bronze medal winner, Sweeney was marginally behind at the end of the first round when only two judges gave her the verdict. In the second she reversed that dynamic, despite a slip that saw her hit the canvas, and four judges were in her favor, and the final round ended with four judges had Sweeney triumphing 29-28 overall.
On her way to this bout Sweeney had defeated the favourite, Spanish boxer Laura Fuertes Fernandez.
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Sweeney will bring home Ireland’s 21st gold medal at the championships, and a $15,000 prize.
Olympian Aoife O’Rourke faces Russian Anastasiia Shamonova in the 75kg final later Saturday.