Days two and three of the IFMA European Championships 2025 in Athens delivered everything Muaythai fans could ask for – high-stakes quarter- and semi-final bouts, passionate national support, and athletes rising to the occasion as the road to the finals became clear.
With places in the gold medal bouts on the line, the action inside the ring intensified, showcasing the depth of talent across Europe in both youth and senior divisions.
Greek Heart in Athens
Greece’s Georgios Tsirogiannis ignited the home crowd with a powerful performance against Denmark’s Falcon Dabelsteen Jensen.
Roared on by the local supporters in Athens, Tsirogiannis pushed forward from the opening bell, maintaining relentless pace and pressure. The bout was non-stop action – high intensity, big exchanges, and a performance that lit up the arena from start to finish as he booked his place deeper into the tournament.
Russian Captain Opens Her Campaign
For the Russian Muaythai Federation, team captain and The World Games medallist Marina Changeliia stepped into the ring with all eyes on her.
She faced a very tough French opponent in an intense, closely contested bout. Drawing on her experience and composure, Marina edged ahead to secure her first win of the tournament – an important statement as she leads her team into the decisive stages of the championships.
Türkiye’s Elif Keskin Marches On
Türkiye’s Elif Keskin delivered one of the most composed performances of the round, earning a well-deserved win over her opponent from the Russian Muaythai Federation.
Showing sharp vision, disciplined defence, and clever shot selection, Elif controlled the tempo and distance throughout the match. After the bout, she thanked her team for their unwavering support and congratulated her opponent on a strong performance. Grateful to advance and focused on reaching the final, she shared that she is determined to bring home the championship for Team Türkiye — God willing.
Moldova’s Arcadie Bozari Charges into the Finals
One of the breakout stories of the tournament so far has been the emergence of Moldovan talent Arcadie Bozari, who enjoyed outstanding success in both his quarter- and semi-final bouts.
In the quarterfinal, Arcadie delivered a confident victory, executing the game plan with discipline and style. He said he felt good in the ring and that the fight went as planned, while still recognising there is always room to improve. With the semi-final looming, he and his team remained fully focused on pushing towards gold, with Arcadie thanking his coach, his teammates, his family, and everyone supporting him – proudly adding, “Moldova is number one.”
In the semi-final, Arcadie raised the level yet again. Another strong performance, showcasing beautiful Muaythai and high-level skill, carried him one step closer to the top of the podium. Next stop: the finals.
Tiny but Mighty: Great Britain’s Jaxon Thomas Evans
In the Youth 10–11 Male –30kg division, Great Britain’s Jaxon Thomas Evans proved that size is no measure of heart.
Strong, skilled, and fearless, Jaxon took a confident win over his Georgian opponent to move into the final. He explained that he felt good in the ring, using timing and movement to pick his shots and land his kicks effectively. With four years of training and 23 fights already behind him, he showed remarkable composure and maturity for his age. Jaxon also sent a special shoutout to his family watching back home – and to Birmingham.
With quarter- and semi-final action completed, the stage is now set for an unforgettable finals day in Athens. Athletes from across Europe have battled their way through intense brackets, and only the very best remain standing. The IFMA European Championships 2025 are closing in on their climax – and every bout from here will decide who leaves Athens as European champion.
