Shairacle Hardaway (Lagrange, Ga.) secured Team USA first victory at the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships, as she defeated Penelope Grochau from Germany in the 60 kg weight class.
“I am feeling good and excited I get to go to the next round.” Hardaway stated after her first round win.
Hardaway was on the Youth High-Performance Team last year and earned bronze at the 2023 International Invitational in Germany. Her international experience led her to a 4-1 victory and has her now boxing in the medal round. Hardaway will box Ella Lonsdale out of England on Tuesday, October 29.
“I am glad I got the first win out of the way. I am ready to win. I have put all the work in and am excited.” Hardaway stated as she prepares for her medal round.
Joscelyn Olayo-Munoz(La Cruces, N.M.) lost on walkover to Chanchal Chaudary out of India in the 48 kg weight class.
Team USA will have two boxers make their tournament debut tomorrow as Emmanuel Chance (East Orange, N.J.) Chance is boxing in the 55 kg weight class will box Kelvy da Trindade from Brazil. Chance won silver at the 2023 Youth Inernational Invitational in Germany.
Also competing Sunday is Laila Zakirova (Staten Island, N.Y.). Zakirova is boxing in the 51 kg weight class and is boxing Xian Baguhin out of the Philippines.
Ticket pricing for the 2024 World Boxing U19 Championships begins at $10 for a single-day pass or $50 for an all-week pass. Fans can also purchase tickets exclusively for Saturday's finals at the price of $25.
USA Boxing will be led by National Development coach Chad Wigle (Colorado Springs, Colo.). Assisting Wigle will be three assistant coaches in Danilo Garcia (Oakland, Calif.), Edward Fonteneaux (Fayetteville, N.C.), and Blanca Gutierrez (Pacifica, Calif.).
