Emily Asquith claims major world medal

England Performance’s Emily Asquith delivered a sensational performance on Day Seven of the World Boxing Championships in Liverpool, booking her place in the semi-finals and guaranteeing herself a medal.

The Sheffield City boxer, via Bridlington Boxing Club, produced a dominant display to defeat Turkey’s Elif Güneri by unanimous decision. In doing so, she became the first current England Performance Senior to claim a major world medal.

Asquith was relentless from the first bell, taking the initiative against an opponent who had beaten her earlier this year at the Feliks Stamm tournament. Determined to set the record straight, Emily applied constant pressure, landing sharp backhand–jab–backhand combinations while giving Güneri little chance to mount her own attacks.

With the home crowd in full voice, Emily’s arm was raised to confirm her place on the podium and a proud moment for the England Performance pathway.

The result marks the most significant podium finish for the England Performance Senior Programme since its launch in 2023. Designed to bridge the gap to the elite international stage, the programme runs intensive training camps every other weekend across eight months of the year. Asquith’s medal demonstrates its ability to produce athletes who can compete with and overcome full-time international squads.

That strength was underlined earlier in the week when graduate Chantelle Reid secured her own medal, and again on Day Seven as Odel Kamara guaranteed himself a podium finish. The Salisbury ABC star and 2023 Performance squad member delighted the home crowd with a thrilling unanimous decision victory over Byamba-Erdene Otgonbaatar of Mongolia.

Liverpool’s Callum Makin also ensured his place on the podium, with the Rotunda ABC boxer edging Canada’s Joshua Ofori via a tight split decision – roared on by family, friends and a passionate home support.

There was disappointment for Mary Kate Smith, who faced Turkey’s Büşra Işildar at Under 75kg. The Hook and Jab boxer applied relentless pressure but was kept at range by her taller opponent, slipping to a unanimous points defeat.

Elsewhere, Dimeji Shittu, Sacha Hickey, Will Hewitt and Damar Thomas all came up short against high-level opposition, underlining the strength in depth on show at this stage of the tournament.

With Thursday, 11 September a rest day, the Championships will resume on Friday, 12 September, when Alice Pumphrey, Teagn Stott and Callum Makin all return to action.

Emily Asquith will contest her semi-final against India’s Pooja Rani on Saturday, 13 September at approximately 8.15pm, as she bids to progress to the final.

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Image: World Boxing.