BUDVA, Montenegro (Oct. 18, 2026) – USA Boxing’s Youth High Performance Team continued competition at the 2026 World Boxing U19 Championships in Budva, Montenegro, with two victories on Sunday. Ciana Nonhphala earned a unanimous decision in the women’s 48-kilogram division, while Refugio Veloz secured a split decision in his tournament debut in the men’s 50-kilogram bracket.
Nonhphala (48 kilograms) opened her tournament against Armenia’s Hamest Afrikyan and controlled the bout from start to finish, winning all three rounds by 5-0 decisions. She also earned a 10-8 score in the final round to secure the unanimous victory. The win marks the second international victory of her career, improving her record to 2-1. Nonhphala advances to the round of 16, where she will face Kazakhstan’s Zhadyra Kaltay on Friday, Oct. 23.
Veloz (50 kilograms) made his tournament debut against Ireland’s Caoimhin Connolly and came away with a 3-2 split decision victory. The California native started strong, taking the opening round by a 5-0 decision before Connolly won the second and third rounds by 3-2 scores. Veloz’s early advantage proved enough to secure the win, marking the third international victory of his career and improving his record to 3-1. He advances to the round of 16, where he will face Georgia’s Shalva Beridze on Tuesday, Oct. 20.
Brijhana Epperson (57 kilograms) and Christian Paez (55 kilograms) also represented Team USA on Sunday. Despite strong efforts, both boxers suffered defeats and will conclude their tournament runs. Epperson dropped a 3-2 decision to England’s Siobhan Haley, while Paez fell by RSC in the second round against India’s Aditya Aditya.
Team USA will return to the ring Monday, Oct. 19, with four boxers scheduled to compete. Guadalupe Ruiz (54 kilograms) will open the day in the round of 16 against Russia’s Kristina Borisenko in Session One, Ring A, Bout 4, at approximately 8:45 a.m. ET. Also competing in the first session is Asante Lamar (70 kilograms) against Turkmenistan’s Muhammet Rejepov in the round of 32 in Session One, Ring A, Bout 8, at approximately 9:45 a.m. ET.
In the second session, USA will be represented by David Arrieta (60 kilograms) and James Gentile (75 kilograms). Arrieta will face Lithuania’s Simonas Puniskis in the round of 32 in Session Two, Ring A, Bout 8, at approximately 1:45 p.m. ET, and Gentile will close out
Monday’s schedule for Team USA against Albania’s Valo Valo in the round of 32 in Session Two, Ring A, Bout 14, at approximately 3:15 p.m. ET. The USA Boxing Youth High Performance Team is led by National Development Coach Stephen Grand (Nashville, Tenn.), who is supported by High Performance Pool coaches Holly Gregson (Idaho Falls, Idaho), Jason Hamilton (Spanaway, Wash.), and Ronald Wright (Columbus, Ga.).
Sunday, Oct. 18 Results
Women’s 48 kg: Ciana Nonhphala, USA vs. Hamest Afrikyan, ARM | W 5-0
Men’s 50 kg: Refugio Veloz, USA vs. Caoimhin Connolly, IRL | W 3-2
Women’s 57 kg: Brijhana Epperson, USA vs. Siobhan Haley, ENG | L 3-2
Men’s 55 kg: Christian Paez, USA vs. Aditya Aditya, IND | L RSC-2
Monday, Oct. 19 Schedule
Women’s 54 kg: Guadalupe Ruiz, USA vs. Kristina Borisenko, RUS | Round of 16, Session One, Ring A, Bout 4, approximately 8:45 a.m. ET
Men’s 70 kg: Asante Lamar, USA vs. Muhammet Rejepov, TKM | Round of 32, Session One, Ring A, Bout 8, approximately 9:45 a.m. ET
Men’s 60 kg: David Arrieta, USA vs. Simonas Puniskis, LTU | Round of 32, Session Two, Ring A, Bout 8, approximately 1:45 p.m. ET
Men’s 75 kg: James Gentile, USA vs. Valo Valo, ALB | Round of 32, Session Two, Ring A, Bout 14, approximately 3:15 p.m. ET
About the Author
