Jenya is heading to European championships
CASTLEBAR boxer Zenja Jelisejenkovs (Jenya to his friends) is heading to the European championships in Hungary after being named senior cadet champion at 80+kg in the National Stadium, Dublin.
Jenya had his hand raised by one of the country's leading referees, Sadie Duffy, this latest success coming on the back of winning three Irish boxing titles in a row.
Standing at 6' 4'', 100kg of solid oak, the mere sight of his structure would most certainly see most opponents frantically climbing back out of the ring, but not on this occasion.
Tommy Gavin from Edenmore had his homework done. He had trained and prepared for this night. Three pulsating rounds, with neither boxer willing to give ground away, ended in honourable sportsmanship, with both young men congratulating each other on their performance.
Zenja Jelisejenkovs was born in Latvia, moving to Ireland with his mother, Snezanna, in January 2004, and starting school in Breaffy NS that September. He tried his hand at most sports, from GAA, basketball, swimming and rugby, but at the age of 11, found himself on the steps of Castlebar Boxing Club.
Not one to announce himself loudly, the unassuming Jenya took a little bit of time to find his feet in his new sport but when he did, he excelled. Similar to his height, his love for boxing skyrocketed and at just 13 years he won his first Irish title.
National honours followed for the next two years, which brings us up to date - three Irish titles in a row and now hope of European success.
Jenya will fly out to represent Ireland on June 15 at the European Boxing Championships in Keszthely, Hungary.
Four Mayo boxers were involved in the national senior cadet championship finals, and three had their hands raised after the final bells (the 75kg final was contested by two Mayo boxers).
Finals: 44kg, Martin McDonagh (Ballina) beat Jamie Connors (Muskerry) 2-1; 75kg, Adam Dempsey (Achill) beat Owen McDonagh (St. Anne’s) 2-1; 80+kg, Zenja Jelisejenkovs (Castlebar) beat Thomas Gavin (Edenmore) 2-1.