Turkish boxers Gizem Özer and Semih Gümüş won bronze medals Thursday at the 2026 European Elite Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, after both were beaten in their respective semifinals.
Özer lost to France’s Sthelyne Grosy in the women’s 60-kilogram semifinal at Asics Arena, while Gümüş was defeated by England’s Abdul Burton in the men’s 55-kilogram division.
The results gave both fighters their first medals at the senior European Championships.
Özer had reached the semifinals with a 5-0 quarterfinal victory over Czechia’s Barbora Maxova, securing at least a bronze medal before Thursday’s bout. She also recorded a win over Poland’s Aneta Elzbieta Rygielska during her run through the tournament.
The 25-year-old southpaw, who represents Elazığ Belediye Spor and Türkiye, was seeking to build on the bronze medal she won at the 2023 European Games in the 60-kilogram division. She also earned an Olympic quota at those Games before representing Türkiye at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
After her semifinal loss, Özer expressed her frustration with the decision but said she was already looking toward the next stages of her career.
“Beating the opponent is not enough; I also have to beat the referees,” Özer said. “I’m sorry, I strongly believed I would win. This must have been destined. The World Championships and the Olympics lie ahead.”
She also thanked those who had supported her, particularly her coach Nazım Yiğit.
For Gümüş, the bronze marked an important breakthrough in his first European Championships at senior level.
The Turkish fighter reached the semifinals after three victories, including a 5-0 quarterfinal win over Kosovo’s Bashkim Bajoku. He had also beaten Portugal’s Armenio Reis and Germany’s Ali El Sari on his way to the medal rounds.
Gümüş believed he had done enough to advance to the final but said he would take valuable experience from the tournament.
“I reached the semifinals by winning three tough bouts,” Gümüş said. “I was far superior in the semifinal. The fight was in my hands, but a great injustice was done. Everyone here saw it.”
The 55-kilogram boxer also highlighted the significance of sharing the podium with his older brother, Samet Gümüş, who won bronze in the men’s 50-kilogram division.
“Together with my brother, we finished third here,” Semih Gümüş said. “We finished third but I am happy. This is not a defeat for us; it is a very big gain.”
He added that the tournament had provided valuable experience as he looks toward the World Championships and the next Olympic cycle.
“Of course I am sad about my loss, but I gained valuable experience here,” Gümüş said. “Until the next European and World Championships and the Olympics, God willing we will achieve many fine victories, gain great experience and raise our flag.”
The 2026 European Elite Boxing Championships, being staged in Sofia through Sept. 25, are the first European Elite Championships held under European Boxing, the continental organization affiliated with World Boxing.
More than 400 boxers from around 40 national federations are competing across 20 weight divisions, with World Boxing ranking points also available.
Türkiye have several other medal contenders in the competition, including women’s fighters Hatice Akbaş and Busenaz Sürmeneli, as the championships move toward the final bouts.
