U19 European Championships: The Best Team in Europe

England Performance recorded its best-ever campaign at a U19 European Championships, clinching the Best Team trophy and cementing its reputation as the leading youth boxing programme in Europe.

A remarkable six gold, two silver and one bronze medal haul secured the accolade, adding to England’s Best Team title from the U19 World Championships in Colorado, USA, last November.

England entered Finals Day in Ostrava, Czechia, with an impressive eight boxers, the largest representation of any nation – Georgia was next best with five finalists.

Building on their World Championship success, Caitlyn Wise (Worcester City), Ruby White (Sturminster Newton) and Ella Lonsdale (Sunderland East End) all struck European gold, while Mohammad Safari (The Ring), Oli Male (Bridlington) and Eman Kargbo (De Hood) joined them on the top step of the podium with their first European titles. Safari’s success comes after three consecutive European bronze medals.

Tyika Thomas (Anderson ABC) and Thabiso Moyo (Leicester Railwaymen) claimed silver medals, and Shannon Warren (Tamworth) earned a bronze, contributing to England’s strongest-ever team performance at this level – achieved at the first U19 European Championships to be held by the new federation, European Boxing.

Among the 13-strong squad were five boxers born in 2008, competing a year ahead of their age group – including medallists Tyika Thomas, Thabiso Moyo and Shannon Warren, alongside Ruby Cuthbertson (District Youth) and Isaac Huczmann (Leicester Lightning), who exited in the preliminaries and quarterfinals respectively. The performances of this young contingent highlight the bright future of England’s U19 programme.

Lead coach in Czechia, Mick Maguire, praised the collective effort and depth of the England Performance Pathway: “What an amazing tournament for the U19 team here in the Czech Republic. Every boxer gave every ounce of themselves throughout every single bout.

“Their efforts showed in the team performances as a collective, and in our position on the medal table, with England ranked as the number one team.

“It is once again a testament to the strength in depth of the Performance Pathway and to the investment and planning that goes into all of our boxers from the very start of each calendar year.

“Each individual performance is the result of a step-by-step collective mission – that starts in the Performance Office, transmits through the coaching pathway, is supported and backed by clubs and families and ends with England Performance and its boxers enjoying tournaments and enjoying success.

“A very sincere thank you to everyone involved at every level and for the parts we all play in achieving success and enjoyment hand in hand.”

Now a four-time European Champion, Ruby White reflected on her achievement and success at a new weight: “This competition meant everything to me. I’m at a new weight, I have a new mindset, and I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the support of England Boxing and all of the coaches.

“I’ve trained hard, I put the work in, and that is why I’m a four-time European Champion back-to-back!”

Meanwhile, Eman Kargbo, a relative newcomer to amateur boxing, captured gold in only his eighth bout – an extraordinary feat he attributed to faith and perseverance: “I’d firstly like to thank God for giving me the opportunity to compete at such a high level after only eight bouts.

“I’ve beaten elite-level boxers who have had up to 50-70 bouts. I had a rocky start and some disadvantages, but I’ve still emerged as Europe’s best… I truly believe boxing was a gift from God.

“I’d also like to thank my coaches for all of their support, both in and out of the ring. Their support has been amazing, along with my sponsors and local supporters.

“I would like to give a special thanks to my mum and the rest of my family who constantly believe in me, no matter what I do.

“I cannot forget those who don’t get enough recognition: Helen Timms, Laura Jackson, Kelly Pardoe, Annabelle Uchegbu. They are the wonderful people who helped make this possible, and the De Hood Boxing Centre.”

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