Updated: Wednesday, 10th March, 2010 4:59pm

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Blaney wins in Germany

by Jimmy Geoghegan

Christopher Blaney had another successful weekend in Germany where he captured a gold medal in the 69kg weight category.

Christopher Blaney all but ensured himself a place on the Irish team for next month's World Youth Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan when he won the gold medal in a tournament in Germany last weekend.

Blaney travelled to Germany as part of a six-man team to take part in a round robin international tournament from Thursday to Monday. The tournament also featured a representative teams from England and Germany.

Blaney took part in bouts in Heidelberg and also in a nearby town and he continued his impressive form to overcome some formidable opponents to claim the gold.

The young Navan Boxing Club member got off to a winning start in the 69kg category when he out-scored England's Jeff Saunders, the younger brother of Beijing Olympian Bradley Saunders. Blaney won on a 16-5 scoreline.

He continued on his winning ways when he comfortably out-boxed German opponent Erakan Buzakaya 7-1 and put himself in a strong position for a medal.

Blaney was due to take on another German in his next outing, but his opponent withdrew leaving the Wilkinstown boxer with the gold medal.

"We don't know why the German, who was his team's number one, couldn't take part in the bout, we were just told he did not want to take part," said Neil Blaney, Christopher's father and coach.

"Christopher had two hard fights and this will add to his international experience. The gold medal made sure that he will be on the team for the World Championships.

"He had to contend with two different styles of boxers and he had to adapt in each bout, but he did very well. It's all about adapting to different styles and different opponents," added Neil Blaney on Monday.

The Irish teams for the World championships have yet to be selected, but it is felt that Christopher Blaney's inclusion will be a formality.

The Meath teenager, along with the other Irish boxers, will continue their preparations for Baku with a training joust against French opposition at the National Stadium from Friday, 19th March to Sunday, 21st March.