Türkiye's Hatice Akbaş secured a medal at the 2026 European Boxing Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria, Tuesday, after advancing to the semifinals with a 3-2 victory over England's Ruby White in the women's 51-kilogram quarterfinals.
Akbaş, a world and Olympic medalist, overcame a slow start at the Asics Arena, losing the opening round before taking the second and third rounds to edge White on the judges' scorecards.
The victory guaranteed Akbaş at least a bronze medal and delivered the senior European Championship medal that had been missing from her collection. It also marked her first major tournament appearance at 51 kilograms.
The Turkish boxer already owns an Olympic silver medal and world championship gold and silver medals. She also won a European title at the under-22 level, but had yet to claim a senior European medal.
Akbaş will face Poland's Natalia Kuczewska in Wednesday's semifinal as she looks to advance to the final and fight for gold.
White, 19, suffered only the second defeat of her career across 60 bouts in youth and senior competition, with Akbaş handing her the loss.
Akbaş said she felt some pressure and nerves before the quarterfinal but was pleased with how she responded in the ring.
"We have been working for more than a year and a half for this European Championship," Akbaş said, referring to her training with her father and coaches, as well as fellow Turkish boxer Esra Yıldız. "We wanted to give everything we had here."
She credited her father, who also serves as her coach, for helping her reach the semifinals and said she was determined to go beyond simply securing a medal.
"I have a European title at under-22 level, but I want to achieve the same success at senior level," Akbaş said. "We have secured the medal now. I want gold."
Akbaş also revealed that she has previously sparred with Kuczewska and believes that experience can help her in the semifinal.
"I think I can beat her. Hopefully, we will reach the final comfortably," she said. "And then, hopefully, we will win the gold medal. Bronze is not enough. We want gold."
