Ali Strikes to Take Gold
Muhammad Ali boxed his way to a gold medal in the finals of the Youth European Championships in Zagreb.
A strong display against Bulgarian Daniel Asenov saw the 18-year-old flyweight from Bury Boxing Club take a 3:0 points decision and first place on the podium.
Sheffield’s Dalton Smith was defeated by Russian Maxim Krivtsov at lightweight, following a string of powerful performances earlier in the competition. The Steel City ABC boxer returns from Croatia with a well-earned silver medal.
Niall Farrell of Kingstanding Second City won a bronze medal after losing a split decision to Moldovan Iulian Ivanoc in the 49kg semi finals.
It was also recently announced that the 18-year-old, from Keighley, West Yorkshire had been announced as one of the nominees for SportsAid’s prestigious One-to-Watch Award.
During his time as a SportsAid-funded athlete, Muhammad has achieved a bronze medal in the 2014 Youth Olympics and silver in the AIBA Youth World Championships. A seven-time national champion, he was named SportsAid’s athlete of the month for September 2014.
He also completed two years as a student on the two-year AASE programe at Bradford College and is now studying there for a degree in sports coaching.
Other notable recipients from recent years include diver Tom Daley, sprinter Jodie Williams – now the British number one over 200m – and gymnast Courtney Tulloch.
The shortlist of ten was drawn up by judges from Sport England, UK Sport, the English Institute of Sport, BBC Sport and SportsAid – chaired by Olympian Sarah Winckless – from 1,300 young sports people across the UK who have received financial support from SportsAid this year.
These ten athletes represent Britain’s brightest prospects for the future with two junior world champions, one senior world champion, one double world record holder and a string of remarkable performances among them.
The winner will be announced at the SportsBall, SportsAid’s flagship gala dinner which is sponsored by Eversheds, at Supernova in London’s Embankment Gardens on November 27.
