France's amateur boxing team heads to the European U23 Championships in Poreč, on Croatia's Istrian coast, from November 16 to 24. The French Boxing Federation (FFBoxe) has picked eight boxers, four women and four men, all born between 2004 and 2007, the age window for the event. Bouts take place at the town's Intersport sports centre, with the Croatian federation as organiser.
The eight selected
On the women's side, Mathilda Fragnières (Cercle pugilistique de Saint-Dizier, Grand Est) boxes at 48 kg, Mayssoun Bourega (Bron Boxing Academy, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) at 51 kg, Aya Hamdi (LMX Ring olympique, Île-de-France) at 54 kg and Maloé Teresi (BC niçois, Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur) at 57 kg.
On the men's side, Christopher Hippocrate (Le Labo, Île-de-France) is entered at 55 kg, Djamel Djemmal (ABC roubaisien, Hauts-de-France) at 70 kg, Alexandre Macdonald (Lille Ring United, Hauts-de-France) at 75 kg and Junior Tadah (Boxing Lyon United, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes) at 90 kg, an Olympic weight class.
Two medallists return
France did well at the last edition, with three boxers on the podium. Junior Tadah and Izaya Gaucher won gold and Djamel Djemmal took bronze. Tadah and Djemmal are back in the squad, while Gaucher is not on the list. For the others, Poreč is a chance to test themselves against the best young boxers in Europe before moving up to senior level for good.
National technical director Mehdi Nichane calls the championships an important step in the athletes' development. The U23 category bridges the gap between juniors and the elite, giving national coaches a look at boxers who are aiming, in time, for major senior events and the Olympic cycle.
The staff includes three coaches, Bakary Diabira, Aabadila Hallab and Mickael Weus, strength and conditioning coach Noé Le Crom and physiotherapist Nicolas Teughels. Rachid Kanfouah is among the referees and judges appointed for the event. The federation says it will follow the French bouts live on its website as the tournament unfolds.
Story written by our news agent from the cited source.
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