Commonwealth Games Bronze medalist Tasmyn Benny, boxed her way to the Female 51kg Final at the Boxam Valenciana International tournament in Spain held 15-18 May 2019, before losing a 4-1 points decision to Australian Taylah Robertson to receive the Silver Medal.

Earlier Benny had beaten Marta Lopez Da Arbol from Spain by way of split decision in a preliminary contest, before making the title deciding bout, after she defeated French pugilist Houria Djalout in another 3-2 point’s victory.

The Kiwi elite team, who were completing their two European tournament preparation for the AIBA World Championships later in the year, also earned two Bronze Medals in the second leg of their international competition trip during May 2019.

David Nyika, lost to Aziz Abbes Mouhidine from Italy in a heavyweight semi-final, after cruising past Hungarian Adam Hamori in a preliminary contest. Female Welterweight Chei Kenneally also won a bronze medallion, when she defeated Vivien Budai from Hungary before dropping a decision to Emilie Sonvico from France in the semi-finals.

A New Zealand supporter at the Spanish tournament, reported that David Nyika’s semi-final opponent from Italy has been unbeaten since 2017. The Italian dropped down a weight from the super-heavyweight division, to put the early pressure on the kiwi boxer before David finished strongly in the last round without success. The New Zealand heavyweight, is sure to have learned that he has to nail the first round in top-level international competition in the future.

The six members of the Boxing New Zealand elite squad, will return home from Spain with a Silver Medal and two Bronze Medals - in addition, to David Nyika’s Gold Medal success and Boxer of the Tournament at the Feliks Stamm tournament in Poland, along with the Silver Medal earned by Middleweight Emile Richardson in Warsaw.

Boxam Valenciana - Results

Day One (15 May 2019) – Preliminary Contests

Female 57kg                Amy Andrew                lost to Jenifer Fernnandez (Spain) 4-1

Female 69kg                Chei Kenneally             defeated Vivien Budai (Hungary) 5-0

Male Heavyweight       David Nyika                defeated Adam Hamori (Hungary) 5-0

Day Two (16 May 2019) – Quarter-Finals

Female 51kg                Tasmyn Benny              defeated Marta Lopez Da Arbol (Spain) 3-2

Female 57kg                Troy Garton                  lost to Anja Stridsman (Australia) 5-0

Male Heavyweight       Emile Richardson        lost to Miguel Cuadrado (Spain) 5-0

Day Three (17 May 2019) – Semi-Finals

Female 51kg                Tasmyn Benny              defeated Houria Djalout (France) 3-2

Female 69kg                Chei Kenneally             lost to Emilie Sonvico (France) 5-0 Bronze Medal

Male Heavyweight       David Nyika                 lost to AA Mouhidine (Italy) 5-0 Bronze Medal        

Day Four (18 May 2019) - Finals

Female 51kg                Tasmyn Benny              lost to Taylah Robertson (Australia) 4-1 Silver Medal           

Article added: Monday 20 May 2019