Canadian Boxers Show Grit and Secure Bronze at 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships

BUDVA, MONTENEGRO — The Canadian boxing delegation delivered strong, courageous performances at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro, highlighted by a podium finish and several hard-fought bouts against elite global competitors. The team was guided throughout the tournament by Lead Coach Jesse Pineiro (BC),alongside Coach Eve Fortin (QC) and Intern Coach Emma Suttle (BC).

Leading the charge for Canada was Emilie Derasp (QC, Grant Brothers Boxing) in the Women’s 75 kg division. Derasp proudly secured a World Championship Bronze Medal for her country. Her exceptional tournament run concluded in a fiercely contested semifinal where she bowed out via a 5:0 decision against China’s Shengjie Gong. Prior to securing her medal, Derasp was slated for a highly anticipated all-Americas quarterfinal matchup against Ariana Chavez of the United States.

On the men’s side, Racim Benaoudia (QC, Club de Boxe CPS) showcased great poise under pressure in the Men’s 60 kg division. Benaoudia demonstrated composure in a razor-thin bout during the preliminary rounds, earning a hard-fought 3:2 split decision victory over Kyrgyzstan’s Daniil Bulavkin. Benaoudia later faced Mexico’s Josué Zepeda in an all-Panamerican clash, which ended in a referee stoppage (RSC) at the start of the third round.

The Canadian roster’s depth was on full display as the rest of the talented squad demonstrated immense grit against top-tier international opponents, rounding out the strong Canadian contingent:

• Arjanpal Hundal (ON, King of the Ring): Delivered a valiant performance in the Men’s 55 kg division, fighting bravely in a tightly contested match before dropping a close 2:3 split decision to Azerbaijan’s Nihat Gasimov.
• Alie Chartier (QC, Club de Boxe Brandon): Showcased a gutsy performance in the Women’s 57 kg division, battling tenaciously against India’s Prachi Prachi in the Round of 16.
• Suri Pafford (NB, St John Golden Gloves): Leading off continental action on the opening day, Pafford stepped into the ring for the Women’s 60 kg Round of 32, tasked with dictating the pace and establishing range early against Poland’s polished Antonina Biniecka.
• Mysha Polishchuk (AB, Black Rock Boxing Club): Put forth a valiant effort in the Men’s 70 kg division, battling fiercely against elite international opposition in his Round of 32 matchup against Serbia’s Vasilije Djurdjevic.
• Soroosh Ganjyar (ON, Cheriki Academy): Showed fierce determination in the Men’s 75 kg division during his clash with Slovenia’s Miha Kralj.
• Josue Kouie (QC, Club de Boxe de L’Est): Stepped up to the challenge in the Men’s 80 kg preliminaries, facing off against Tajikistan’s Khujamuminjon Kholov.
• Marianne Tessier (QC, Club de Boxe Performance): Competed in the Women’s 65 kg division, facing off against Kazakhstan’s Aisulu Mukhit.
• Sonny Merideith (AB, Calgary Boxing Club): Competed in the Men’s 65 kg division in a tough matchup against Moldova’s Catalin Mustea.

“Final results sheet and the quality of the performances demonstrated by our athletes  don’t match up in the way we would have liked,” said Christopher Lindsay, Executive Director. “Boxing Canada is inspired by our boxers and proud that they represented Canada, their provinces, and their clubs on the international stage.”

To continue building the up-and-coming athletes, Boxing Canada is increasing support for the U23, U19, and U17 age groups with the addition of a National Team Summer Camp program. Hosted at the National Training Centre in Montreal for summer 2027, this initiative will provide athletes the opportunity to work directly with the national team coaches and focus on international success.

Full results are available at https://worldboxing.org.

For media inquiries regarding the Canadian National Team please contact Christopher Lindsay at clindsay@boxingcanada.org

About Boxing Canada: Boxing Canada is the national sport organization for the sport of Olympic Boxing in Canada. It provides leadership for national programming, teams, and policies in partnership with each province and territory’s sport organization. Thanks to the Government of Canada, Canadian Olympic Committee, Rival Boxing Canada, and all our national partners for their support. For more information on Boxing Canada, please visit BoxingCanada.org.