In the semi-finals of the weight category up to 60 kg, she had to shake hands with Nune Asatriana.
The International Boxing Association (IBA), led by the Russian Umar Kremliov, was the first to allow athletes from the countries that attacked Ukraine to return to the international arena in 2022.
And not with a neutral status, as in other sports, but with equal rights with competitors – with their own flag, anthem and the right to compete in the medal count.
Because of this, the Lithuanian Boxing Federation (LBF) boycotted the main competition last year, not wanting to participate together with the representatives of the aggressors. But in the Olympic years, he decided to change his posture.
According to A. Starovoitova, after deciding to go to the continental championships, it was agreed in advance that the Lithuanians would not box with athletes from Russia or Belarus, if their paths crossed.
A. Starovoitova kept her word. And she also decided not to wait for the final and the award ceremony, so that she would not have to appear on the winners’ podium together with the Russian boxer.
“I offered not to go on the podium myself – it’s not the time. And there is nothing to be proud of here – I did what was needed. And the least I could do.
And they gave me the medal very simply – they hung it around my neck, shook my hand and that was it. And, you know, I’m very happy – it was better than standing on the podium. It’s a great pleasure when you realize that you gave your whole heart,” said the bronze medalist after returning to Vilnius, repeating her 2022 result.
She said she had not heard any reactions from the Russian camp after her act. Nobody even tried to persuade him to change his mind and step into the ring in the semi-finals.
“And who can persuade the boxer – he said “no”, and it’s holy,” A. Starovoitova smiled. – I don’t care what anyone thought. Emotions and thoughts were completely different. And if they are talking behind you, then you are in front of those speakers.”
In the first fight, which she always considers to be the most difficult, the Lithuanian boxer defeated the Croatian Dea Bolanca by unanimous decision of the judges, and in the quarter-finals she achieved a rematch against the Spanish Sheila Martinez Perez in a similar way.
The latter had to give way at the Olympic selection tournament held in Italy last month.
A. Starovoitova will have the last chance to earn a ticket to Paris at the end of May in Thailand, where another global qualification tournament awaits.
“The medal gives confidence, but at the same time adds responsibility. On my way home from the championship, I thought the whole way: Ana, you’re the coach yourself, you’ll have to coordinate everything somehow. I’m glad to have another chance though. I wish both myself and the whole team more self-confidence and relaxation during the fight. Because sometimes we want to win so badly that we forget how well we can box,” said A. Starovoitova.
For the other titled Lithuanian boxer Gabriela Stonkutas, the 2022 world and European champion, things were worse in Belgrade.
The woman from Crete, who celebrated her 23rd birthday this month, lost her first fight in the weight category up to 75 kg to Nikolina Gajič, the owner of the ring.
“Whoever understands boxing saw that the fight was impressive. Gabriele is very talented, I keep telling her that she must shoot. Not here, it’s at the Olympic selection tournament. Two thousand percent that it will be so, I will do everything so that we both win Olympic tickets”, A. Starovoitova urged both herself and her teammate.
So far, no Lithuanian boxer is guaranteed a place in the Olympic Games.
