Delicious Orie wins super-heavyweight gold on final day of action at 2023 European Games in Poland

TEAM GB’S Delicious Orie been crowned 2023 European Games super-heavyweight champion at the Nowy Targ arena in Poland on the competition’s final day of action.

Having already secured Paris 2024 qualification in his previous bout, Orie faced Azerbaijan’s Mahammed Abdullayev in his gold medal bout.

After being judged to have lost the first round 3:2, the Brit responded brilliantly by dominating the second and third rounds thanks to some clever shot selection and fast footwork to outdo his opponent, leading to a memorable unanimous victory.

The 26-year-old’s win makes him the second British super-heavyweight to stand top of the podium at a European Games after Joe Joyce won gold at Baku, 2015.

Orie said: “It means everything to me. I got the qualification the other day and now the icing on the cake, a gold medal. I can’t put it into words what I’ve achieved. I don’t know what to say except hard work pays off.

“It hasn’t come easy; I’ve had five fights against some top guys, and it’s only given me more confidence. I know people will expect me to do the same at the Olympic Games, and I’ve got a year now to polish my skills, get better and keep building momentum.

“A couple of years ago if someone would have told me I’d have achieved all this I’d have told them it was a huge ask but getting on GB Boxing and seeing the level of boxers they have produced and the medals they have won really cemented the confidence with in me.

“I believe in myself; I believe in the coaches, and I believe in GB Boxing and as a result we’re winning more medals.

“I hope that this will inspire the next generation. The next super-heavyweight or next female champion, whoever it is, to go out there and dominate the scene. That’s what this is all about.

“I want to say thank you to my mum and dad, my girlfriend, to everyone at home on social media as well, thank you. If it wasn’t for you guys pushing me on and supporting me, I wouldn’t be where I am today.”

Orie’s gold medal on the final day of action brings to an end a tournament that has seen GB Boxers earn four medals and three Olympic quota places.

Performance Director Rob McCracken said: “The European Games has provided valuable experience for our team of boxers. There have been some really good performances, especially from our four medallists, and there are others who didn’t get to the medal stages who have shown real potential at this level.

“It’s great for the programme that Charley has become a two-time Olympian after some good performances, likewise Rosie has boxed very well to secure her place at Paris 2024. Delicious has also done exceptionally well to come through five contests against top opponents to secure qualification and win a gold medal. Kiaran has also done well to earn a medal and it’s unfortunate he couldn’t qualify on this occasion, but this experience will stand him in good stead as we look ahead to next year.

“The four medals are a great achievement and a solid indicator of where the squad is at in the current cycle and with two more qualifying opportunities around the corner, we now look forward to working with the rest of the squad with the aim of fulfilling their potential and securing more Olympic quota places.”