12 GB Boxers to compete in this year’s Strandja tournament in Bulgaria
GB Boxing will send 12 members of its podium squad to this year’s Strandja Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, from 23 February to 1 March 2026.
The tournament marks the first competitive action of the year for those selected, including World Boxing Championships silver and bronze medallists Teagn Stott (90kg) and Chantelle Reid (70kg).
It will be the first time both have competed since their medal performances in Liverpool in September. It will also be the first time Stott has competed at heavyweight, making the step up from cruiserweight, which has not been named as an Olympic weight.
The duo will be joined by several teammates who also come into the competition in good form.
Damas Thomas (90+kg) was crowned U23 European champion in October last year, while Kelsey Oakley (51kg) earned silver.
There was also a recent gold medal for Dimeji Shittu (80kg), who retained his champion status by winning back-to-back World Boxing Cup finals, with the most recent victory coming in India in November.
At the same tournament, Elise Glynn (57kg) and Will Hewitt (60kg) took bronze.
The final boxer to head into this competition off the back of a gold medal performance is Paddy Hewitt (70kg), who was victorious at the Zagreb Grand Prix in December.
The squad is completed by Lauren Mackie (54kg), Lucy Kings-Wheatley (60kg), Sacha Hickey (65kg) and Patris Mughalzai (65kg).
All 12 boxers will represent England at this year’s Strandja. The full team is:
| Boxer | Weight Class | Country |
| Kelsey Oakley | Flyweight – W51kg | England |
| Lauren Mackie | Bantamweight – W54kg | England |
| Elise Glynn | Featherweight – W57kg | England |
| Will Hewitt | Lightweight – M60kg | England |
| Lucy Kings-Wheatley | Lightweight – W60kg | England |
| Sacha Hickey | Welterweight – W65kg | England |
| Patris Mughalzai | Welterweight – M65kg | England |
| Paddy Hewitt | Light-middleweight – M70kg | England |
| Chantelle Reid | Light-middleweight – W70kg | England |
| Dimeji Shittu | Light-heavyweight – M80kg | England |
| Teagn Stott | Heavyweight – M90kg | England |
| Damar Thomas | Super-heavyweight – M90+kg | England |
The results of all the bouts involving boxers from Great Britain will be posted on GB Boxing’s social media channels and at www.gbboxing.org.uk.