Elite tournament remainsindoubt

BOXING

CONCERNS about the International Boxing Association’s (AIBA) ability to stage a unified World Elite Men’s Boxing Championships persist with just days to go to the opening bell for the flagship tournament of the sport in Hamburg, Germany this weekend.

The AIBA and its president, CK Wu, and the Interim Management Committee (IMC) of AIBA are locked in a power struggle for control of the governing body for amateur boxing with the IMC trying to have Wu removed for alleged financial mismanagement.

Ireland’s Dean Gardiner, Joe Ward, Sean McComb, Kurt Walker and Brendan Irvine qualified for the 85-nation tournament in Hamburg at June’s European Championships in Ukraine, however, a schedule for the event has yet to be released just days before it is due to start.

Head coach Zaur Antia, John Conlan, whose son Michael claimed Ireland’s only male World Elite gold medal so far, in 2015 in Doha, and Dimitry Dimitruc will be working Ireland’s corner.

The Irish squad finished up their final training camp in Sheffield last Friday with England, Bulgaria, France and Scotland and leave for Hamburg today.

MOTORSPORT

TRIBUTES have been paid to the second competitor in the Ulster Grand Prix to have passed away following injury this month.

Gavin Lupton from West Yorkshire sustained critical injuries when crashing in the Dundrod 150 Challenge race in Co Antrim on August 10.

Another Englishman, Jamie Hodson (35), was killed in a crash during another race on the same day. The Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club, which organises the Ulster Grand Prix, described him as an “experienced and popular rider”.

“The Dundrod and District Motorcycle Club would like to offer its heartfelt condolences to Gavin’s family, friends and team, and requests that their privacy is respected as they come to terms with his passing,” the club said in a statement.

SWIMMING

SHANE RYAN came agonisingly close to a medal yesterday as he competed in the final of the 100m backstroke at the World University Games in Taipei.

The Rio Olympian finished fourth in the final in 54.35 seconds, just 0.18 of a second shy of the bronze.

Ryan had progressed through Sunday’s heats in fourth place in 54.71 seconds and then sixth from the semi-finals in 54.63 seconds.

SNOOKER

SHAUN MURPHY and Luca Brecel will meet in the Evergrande China Championship final after coming through hard-fought semi-final clashes yesterday.

Murphy recovered from 4-2 down to beat Ali Carter 6-4 while Brecel saw off home player Li Hang in a final-frame decider.