Havvanur Kethüda sets goals after European boxing title

Havvanur Kethüda, 19, has outlined her future goals after winning the gold medal in the women’s over-80-kilogram category at the 2026 European Boxing Championships in Bulgaria.

The athlete, who began her sporting career in basketball, said she played the sport until the age of 16 before switching to boxing at the urging of her family and coaches. Kethüda said she initially avoided training and thought she would not be able to pursue boxing, but her subsequent successes drew her to the sport.

After winning the Turkish championship, Kethüda became European champion among youth and later joined the Turkish Olympic Preparation Center in Trabzon. In 2024, she achieved results at Turkish, European and world competitions in the youth category.

Her goal is a world title and an Olympic medal

Kethüda faced opponents from Ukraine, Poland and Russia at the European Championships and fought three bouts. She said her toughest opponent was the Polish athlete and that she won her second bout by knockout.

Havvanur Kethüda said her main goals are to become world champion among seniors and win a medal at the Olympic Games. Her coach, Muhammet Çat, said she would be seeded at next year’s world championships in Kazakhstan and would compete for the gold medal.