PCYC boxers win medals in Warsaw

Umina Beach PCYC boxers Anja Stridsman and Kaye Scott have won medals at the 36th International Feliks Stamm Boxing Tournament in Warsaw, Poland.

Anja and Kaye both contested as part of the Australian team in a tournament that saw six Polish competitors declared winners of all their matches.

Both Peninsula boxers entered the competition with byes through the first sessions of the competition with Kaye first appearing in session five against Czechoslovakia's Martina Schmoranzova and Anja in session six against Algeria's Imane Khelif.

Both emerged victorious and immediately qualified for the semi-finals with Kaye matched against Poland's Elzbieta Wojcik and Anja against Poland's Aneta Rygielska.

Both Australians were ruled as the losers of their matches which saw them ineligible to contest the grand finals, making them the bronze medallists for their weight divisions.

Anja took to social media to voice her disappointment with the result.

"After a split decision loss to Poland yesterday in the semis, I have to settle for a bronze medal here at Feliks Stamm in Poland.

"Although I am disappointed with the result, I am learning and improving through the experience and grateful for the opportunity that I am given," she wrote.

Kaye also wrote about her frustrations on social media and hinted at potentially biased judging impacting the fairness of the international competition.

"Always knew it was going to be tough to get the decision in Poland against the hometown favourite.

"Turns out it's true.

"Five female finals that will be televised on Polish television and six Polish girls that happened to win all their matches.

"Part and parcel with the sport, so got to cop it on the chin.

"National coach and home coach happy with my boxing performance, and both thought I'd earned the win.

"Plenty of things to learn and work on from this tournament.

"My mindset remains positive," Kaye wrote.

SOURCE:

Social media, 4 May 2019

Kaye Scott, Official Facebook page

Anja Stridsman, Official Facebook page

Website, 6 May 2019

EUBC Boxing, 36th Feliks Stamm International Boxing Tournament Results