Silver | 77th Strandja

1 March 202628 February 2026 by Ciara Plunkett

Team Ireland’s Michaela Walsh has won at least silver at the 77th Strandja Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria.

She was the 4-1 winner over Paris Olympian, USA’s Alyssa Mendoza. The final scores were: 28:29; 28:29; 28:29; 29:28; 28:29. Today’s was the double Olympian’s third successive win, following victories over Italy’s Madalina Grabucea and Brazil’s Jessia Dias Coutinho.

Speaking after the bout, she said “I’m so happy to be in the final of the Strandja tournament. I’ve been at this tournament many times before, but this is my first time winning a medal and first time being in the final. My opponent today was USA, a girl that I’ve boxed before. A really, really tough competitor. I knew going in to the fight that I was here to perform on the day”

Michaela adds “I was down in the first round. I listened to the coaches, had faith in my coaches and luckily it worked… so I can’t wait until tomorrow and the final.”

Caitlin Fryers comes home from the 77th Strandja tournament with 51kg bronze. She contested a high-tempo semi-final against Uzbekistan’s Feruza Kazakova and the 5-0 decision went to Kazakova and was scored: 30:27; 29:28; 30:27; 30:27; 29:28. Caitlin recorded valuable wins over Bulgaria’s Venelina Poptoleva and Anita Adisheva of Kazakhstan en route to bronze.

Niamh Fay will fly home from Bulgaria on Monday with 57kg bronze. She boxed semi final against Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova and the 4-1 decision went to her opponent. Judges scored the bout 29:28, 28:29; 28:29; 28:29; 28:29. Niamh got to the semi finals by way of wins over Khumorabonu Mamajonova and Turkey’s Ece Asude Ediz.

Grainne Walsh has won 65kg bronze. The Paris Olympian and World bronze medalist contested her semi final against Kazakhstan’s Laura Yessenkeldi. The 4-1 decision went to Yessenkeldi on a scoreline of 28:29, 28:29, 27:30, 29:28, 27:30. Her Strandja journey included wins over Haziel Krishna Franco Santos of Brazil and Armenia’s Elida Kocharyan.

In all, 209 men and 129 women are contesting the tournament, Europe’s oldest multi-nations competition.

Day Seven

Micheala will contest her final against Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova in Bout 3 on Sunday, while Caitlin Fryers, Niamh Fay and Grainne Walsh will be awarded their medals.

Day Seven’s schedule is available here

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