Four Americans Advance to Quarterfinals in Montenegro
Four Team USA boxers advanced to the quarterfinals on Thursday at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro. The United States secured four victories on the day, led by unanimous decisions from Asaan Jenkins, Asante Lamar, and Ruby Lopez, alongside a tightly contested win by Ariana Chavez. While the American squad celebrated four quarterfinal berths, the day also brought elimination for David Arrieta in the men’s 60 kg division.
Jenkins and Lamar Lead Unanimous Victories in Men’s Brackets
Asaan Jenkins opened the day for the United States in the men’s 65 kg division, defeating Georgia’s Luka Chkhikvadze by a 5-0 unanimous decision. Jenkins claimed the first and third rounds with identical 5-0 scores to push his international record to 6-1, featuring five unanimous decision victories. Asante Lamar followed in the men’s 70 kg division, sweeping all three rounds against New Zealand’s Noah Collier with matching 5-0 scores from the judges. Lamar improved his international record to 4-1, mirroring Jenkins by earning every career victory through unanimous decisions.
Lopez and Chavez Secure Crucial Wins for Women’s Team
Ruby Lopez continued her strong tournament run in the women’s 51 kg division by earning a unanimous decision over Japan’s Momoko Hasebe, capturing the first and second rounds by 5-0 margins to lift her international mark to 3-1. In the women’s 75 kg division, Ariana Chavez secured her first international victory by edging Ukraine’s Iryna Onopriienko in a 3-2 decision. Chavez took the opening round 4-1 and sealed the win by taking the final frame 3-2. The lone setback for the American contingent on Thursday came in the men’s 60 kg division, where David Arrieta fell in a 4-1 decision to Algeria’s Smail Sahraoui.
Upcoming Bouts and Rematches on Friday and Saturday
Team USA continues its quarterfinal campaign on Friday, Oct. 23, with five fighters scheduled to step into the ring. Ciana Nonhphala opens the day for the Americans against Kazakhstan’s Zhadyra Kaltay in the women’s 48 kg Round of 16. Guadalupe Ruiz meets Scotland’s Rosie Swailes in the women’s 54 kg quarterfinals, while Asaan Jenkins returns to face Azerbaijan’s Shahin Aslanov. Marley McNealy takes on India’s Lakshu Lakshu in the women’s 70 kg quarterfinals, and Caleb Stewart-Reid closes the Friday slate against Uzbekistan’s Islam Salikhov in the men’s 90+ kg quarterfinals.
Saturday’s quarterfinal schedule features Asante Lamar meeting Kazakhstan’s Bibarys Ashirbay in a rematch of their bout at the 2026 World Boxing Futures Cup in Thailand, where Ashirbay secured a 3-2 decision victory. Ruby Lopez will face China’s Shu Liu, and Ariana Chavez will square off against Canada’s Emilie Derasp. Earlier in the tournament, the USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team swept its bouts on Monday, Oct. 19, with victories from Guadalupe Ruiz, Asante Lamar, David Arrieta, and James Gentile.
Frequently Asked Questions About the U19 Championships
Where are the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships taking place? The tournament is being held in Budva, Montenegro. Asaan Jenkins faces Azerbaijan’s Shahin Aslanov on Friday, Oct. 23, while Asante Lamar meets Kazakhstan’s Bibarys Ashirbay on Saturday, Oct. 24. David Arrieta lost a 4-1 decision to Algeria’s Smail Sahraoui in the men’s 60 kg division, ending his run at the tournament.
Keep reading