Turkish boxing star Busenaz Sürmeneli added another continental crown to her decorated career Friday, defeating Britain's Chantelle Reid to win gold at the 2026 European Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria.
Sürmeneli claimed the women's 70-kilogram title on the final day of competition at the Asics Arena, securing her second consecutive European championship.
The Olympic champion and three-time world champion now has four European Championship medals in her career, including two golds and two bronzes.
Her latest triumph further adds to a career that has established Sürmeneli among Türkiye's most successful boxers.
Meanwhile, Türkiye's Büşra Işıldar took silver in the women's 75-kilogram division after losing to Ireland's Aoife O'Rourke in the final.
The 24-year-old Işıldar, a former world and European youth champion, had previously won silver at the senior World Championships and bronze at the European Championships.
President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan congratulated Sürmeneli following her victory, speaking with the Turkish boxer by phone through Deputy Youth and Sports Minister Hamza Yerlikaya, who watched the final in Sofia.
"Congratulations, well done. Hopefully, I expect success at the Olympics as well. Congratulations, and send my regards to your family," Erdoğan told Sürmeneli.
Sürmeneli thanked the president for his congratulations.
