Akash Tuqir makes sure of a Euros medal
Hadley's Akash Tuqir is guaranteed a medal in the England Youth Championships after coming through his quarter-final today.
The Shropshire flyweight won his second 52kg bout at the 25th Youth Championships in Poland this afternoon,
The 17-year-old, who fights out of Merridale Boxing Club in Wolverhampton, will add to England's medal tally in his Euros debut.
He defeated Slovakia Filip Meszaros by unanimous points decision to make sure, using his range against his smaller, come forward opponent to leave the judges in no doubt.
Now Tuqir will take on Irish former world junior champion Willie Donoghue - arguably his biggest threat at the weight - on Friday for a place in the decider.
Should the slick southpaw down the Irishman, he will take either gold or silver, but will take one of the two bronzes for semi-finalists either way.
A total of 266 boxers from 37 countries are gunning for glory inside Kolobrzeg's Hala Millennium Arena over a total of eight days.
Tuqir came flying out of the blocks with a sensational first round stoppage on Sunday, after the draw was made with 16 entered at the weight.
Fast hands and feet opened up the body of Spain's Jose Brotons Quiles, who sunk to his knees after a sweet uppercut landed below the ribs. He was counted out while still on the canvas.
The determined Tuqir has vowed to seize an opportunity that has been five years in the making, after losing four national finals at club level.
He's fell at the last hurdle in two schoolboys, junior and this year's youth final but has been to the medal table representing his country, against the other British nations.
He was just 12 when he won Tri-Nations gold as a schoolboy, while he also took bronze at the Youth Three Nations in April.
