Perfect day for Ireland at Multi-Nations in Ukraine
Ireland claimed a hat-trick of wins today at the Trestin Memorial in Odessa.
There were three victories out of three in Ukraine as Wayne Kelly, Emmet Brennan, and Kenny Okungbowa all joined Tommy Hyde in the quarter finals and the quartet are each just one win away from medalling.
The Westmeath light welter Kelly beat Ukrainian home favourite Zoravov Petrosayan in a tight three rounder to record his second win in 24 hours and join Tommy Hyde in the quarter-finals.
Meanwhile, Emmet Brennan, who also won yesterday, advanced from a toe-to-toe battle with another home favourite in Nikita Yakimchyk. The Dublin middleweight had to go down into the trenches with his fiery opponent with both men delivering and soaking up plenty of leather in a hard-punching 75kg clash.
Athlone BC heavyweight Kenny Okungbowa completed the hat-trick with an inside the distance win over Kazakstan’s Shangarbek Batynula. Okungbowa kept his jab pumping and his hooks flying and went about his business with accuracy and patience to dominate the first round and the Asian didn’t come out for the start of the second frame after he was retired on his stool.
Kelly, Brennan, Okungbowa, and Hyde will box for at least bronze tomorrow.
23rd Trestin Memorial Odessa, Ukraine
July 9
Last 32
63kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Vaghinak Bazeyan (Armenia) 5-0
69kg Aidan Walsh (Ireland) lost to Tibenius Barbuso (Hungary) 1-4
75kg Emmet Brennan (Ireland) beat Igor Harchenko (Ukraine) 5-0
Last 16
81kg Tommy Hyde (Ireland) beat Hindawl Al Oada (Jordan) 5-0
July 10
Last 16
63kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) beat Zoravov Petrosayan (Ukraine) PTS
75kg Emmet Brennan (Ireland) beat Nikita Yakimchyk (Ukraine) PTS
91kg Kenny Okungbowa (Ireland) beat Shangarbek Batynula (Kazakhstan) RTD2
July 11
Q/Final
63kg Wayne Kelly (Ireland) v TBA
75kg Emmet Brennan (Ireland) v TBA
81kg Tommy Hyde (Ireland) v Dannylo Zhasan (Ukraine)
91kg Kenny Okungbowa (Ireland) v TBA
Irish squad
63kg Wayne Kelly (Portlaoise)
69kg Aidan Walsh (Monkstown)
75kg Emmet Brennan (Glasnevin)
81kg Tommy Hyde (Mayfield)
91kg Ken Okungbowa (Athlone)
Coaches: Eoin Pluck and Jimmy Halpin
