Norway's Marielle Hansen (Photo Source: Morgan Boren)


Last weekend saw the end of another quality women's tournament as the Golden Girl Championships in the small town of Boras, Sweden, brought together 54 athletes from ten European nations to compete in the Class A category, whilst B and C draws were provided for boxers with much less experience. With the Nations Cup having just come to an end in Serbia, this competition in Sweden continues to give more women the opportunity to test their skills on the international stage.

In the absence of Sweden's top boxer, former AIBA World Champion Anna Laurell, 19-year-old AIBA Youth World Champion and European Youth Champion Love Holgersson was able to defend her title in the Olympic Middleweight (75kg) category. The super talented fighter outclassed Russian National Championships bronze medallist Lyubov Pashina 13:10 to further cement her status as one of the big hopes for her country in this Rio 2016 era.

Sweden's Light Flyweight (46-49kg) No.2 Amie Ramstedt eliminated her big local rival, Turkish Prime Ministry Tournament silver medallist Elin Roennlund to stake her claim of joining up with the elite team in 2013. Unfortunately though, she was unable to claim gold in the tournament after succumbing to defeat against Ireland's National Champion Lynne O'Shea, formerly McEnery. The Irish fighter was simply irresistible, winning the contest 13:3 and being awarded the best boxer trophy as a result.

Rising German star Annemarie Stark had already caused a real surprise at Flyweight (51kg) after beating Russian Youth National Champion Ulyana Koshkarova in the semi-finals. Stark lived up to her name by powering past Sweden's Norah Guzlander in the final to secure Germany's first gold in Boras.

22-year-old Marielle Hansen, who triumphed over England's Nina Smith in the semis, was victorious in the all-Norwegian final after triumphing over Veronica Losvik in the Bantamweight (56kg) clash, which ended 18:3.


The competitors at Featherweight (57kg) were divided into two groups following a high number of entrants. Finland's great hope, 20-year-old Cecilia Nilsson, defeated Sweden's Helena Envall in the first final while Linnea Strandell got one back for the host nation by claiming the other group with victory over Finnish boxer Emilia Skriko.


Two-time EU Championships bronze medallist Mira Potkonen from Finland defeated Norway's Minoan Cup winner Fam Elgan in the semi-finals before outmanoeuvring Ireland's Corinthians BC boxer Kelly Harrington to take the title 12:9. Sweden's AIBA Junior World Champion Ida Lundblad and Switzerland's Sandra Bruegger suprinsingly left the competition without making it onto the podium.

Sweden's NBK Akilles club member, 23-year-old Gabriella Saliba claimed the host nation's third gold medal after beating teammate Josephine Marass Haegg in the Light Welterweight (64kg) final 18:17. The last gold was bagged by Germany's experienced boxer Janine Hofmann after she was too strong for Sweden's Malena Hede in the final of the Welterweight (69kg) division.


Another tournament, and more women's boxers making their mark. It is pleasing to see how far the sport has come in such a short space of time. A big thank you to the tournament organisers as it is them who make it possible for these fledgling athletes to compete.