SHANNON SWEENEY AND AOIFE O'ROURKE WIN GOLD AT EUROPEAN BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS

MAYO’S SHANNON SWEENEY and Roscommon’s Aoife O’Rourke were crowned European champions on Saturday afternoon as they both took gold in Belgrade.

Sweeney got the nod on four of the five judges’ cards for a split-decision victory against  Bulgaria’s Zlatislava Chukanova in the light flyweight decider.

The St Anne’s BC, Westport fighter — who won bronze in the 48kg division at the 2022 championships in Budva — claimed her first European elite title, as well as the $15,000 first prize on offer.

Four of the judges scored the bout 29-28 in Sweeney’s favour, while the remaining judge scored it 29-28 to Chukanova.

It was the Bulgarian who did just enough to shade a close-fought opening round, but Sweeney fought her way back into the contest with a strong second round before doing enough in the final three minutes to secure her victory.

Later on Saturday, O’Rourke became a four-time continental champion as she scored a split-decision win over Anastasiia Shamonova in the middleweight final.

Champion in 2019 and 2022, O’Rourke completed a three-in-a-row at these championships to go alongside her victory at the 2023 European Games.

2024-04-27T15:48:54Z dg43tfdfdgfd