Alexiusson, Soquessa and Okafor defeated strong rivals in Helsinki on Day1

The 42^nd edition of the Gee Bee Tournament started with its first competition day in Finland’s capital in Helsinki today.

Sweden’s Hadi Hadrous opened the 42nd Gee Bee Tournament with excellent performance, he had a strong start against Finland’s Bengin Vasek at the featherweight (57kg). The Swedish boxer was too strong for the local boy and he knocked down Vasek in the middle of the second round. Following the second count, the referee stopped their unequal contest and he confirmed the RSC triumph of the Swedish boxer.

Finland’s 19-year-old Johannes Suhonen dominated his welterweight (67kg) contest against his teammate, Unto Jansson and he managed a strong opener in Helsinki. Czech Republic’s Youth World competitor Tomas Otta landed several shots from close distance to beat Finland’s Juuso Enola in the next bout in this weight class.

Finland’s Benjamin Eriksson and Czech Republic’s Kelvin Soquessa both competed in championships as well therefore their contest was one of the anticipated fights of the day. The Czech started their bout better and he had a powerful hook in the second therefore Soquessa won their meeting unanimously.

Wales’ Orlando Holley-Sotomi had issues in the first round against Czech Republic’s Adam Valenta but he switched into a higher tempo and he was able to turn back their middleweight (75kg) contest.

Germany’s Alexander Okafor, the European U22 bronze medallist, returned to the international competitions after a short break and he looked quicker than the tall Swedish veteran, Gabriel Richards. The Swedish heavyweight (92kg) boxer was competitive, he had nice shots especially in the third, but Okafor won their meeting.

Sweden’s No.1, Agnes Alexiusson and Czech Republic’s European silver medallist Lenka Bernardova met at the women’s lightweight (60kg) on Day1. Alexiusson overcame the younger Czech opponent in the attacks and she dominated their meeting while Netherlands’ Youth World Champion Maud Van der Toorn won the last bout of the session.