January, 2017 Newsletter NEWS FROM ASBC content

AIBA WSB/APB R&J SEMINAR STARTS THE YEAR WITH WAS HELD IN ASSISI 4 A TRAINING CAMP IN YANGIABAD 18

HONG KONG, CHINA, SINGAPORE ADILBEK NIYAZYMBETOV IS THE NEW AND CHINESE TAIPEI CLAIMED THE 6 TEAM CAPTAIN IN 20 TITLES IN THE HONG KONG BOX CUP

MADOKA WADA, AYA SHINMOTO TWO-TIME AIBA WOMEN’S WORLD AND MISUZU HAYASHI ARE THE 22 CHAMPION NAZYM KYZAIBAY WINS 8 BESTS IN THE JAPANESE WOMEN’S IN THE ZHARYLGAPOV TOURNAMENT NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS IN OMISHIMA

THE DUISENKUL SHOPOKOV TOURNAMENTS STARTS WITH THE 10 BEYBARYS ZHEKSEN AND SAGYNDYK WEIGH-IN TOGANBAY DEFENDED THEIR TITLES 24 IN THE KAZAKH JUNIOR NATIONALS

YOUNG ERDENEBAT TSENDBAATAR DEFEATED RIO 2016 12 BRONZE MEDALLIST DORJNYAMBUU TAJIKISTAN’S 14-YEAR-OLD TIMUR OTGONDALAI IN THE MONGOLIANS NEGMATULLOEV AMAZED THE 26 NATIONALS CROWD IN THE DUSHANBE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS

TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN SHIVA THAPA SUCCESSFUL R&J COURSE IN DOMINATED HIS NEW WEIGHT CLASS 14 VIETNAM IN THE INDIAN NATIONALS 28

TEENAGE FUTURE HOPES IRANIAN YOUTH TEAM PREPARES FOR DOMINATED THE UZBEKISTAN 16 THE MAIN COMPETITIONS IN 30 WOMEN’S NATIONAL CUP IN TASHKENT UPCOMING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY 2017 32

January, 2017 3 Together we are power AIBA WSB/ APB R&J SEMINAR WAS HELD IN ASSISI

An important AIBA WSB/APB Referee & Judge Seminar was held in Assisi, Italy which was the first course in 2017. Mr. Ray Silvas of the Unites States and Mr. Pat Fiacco of Canada led the AIBA WSB/APB Referee & Judge Seminar in Assisi while AIBA Develop- ment Manager Mr. David Llaurado also were there in the venue in Italy.

Altogether 25 Referee & Judges attended in the AIBA WSB/APB Seminar in Assisi from all over the world. Among them six Asian Referee & Judges attended in the Seminar from five different countries such as China, , Iran, South Korea and Uzbekistan which nations all have got great traditions in our combat sport. The Asian referees & judges worked in all of the top international competitions in 2016 and they are ready to serve the world's life in 2017 as well. China's Mr. Jingjing Zhang is an experienced 3-star R&J who had a lot of works in the world's biggest events in 2016 and expecting to travel more in the current year. He delivered his best performance in the Astana 2016 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships and after he was named the Best Asian R&J in 2016 he attended in the AIBA WSB/ APB Seminar in Assisi. Iran had two applicants in the AIBA WSB/APB Seminar, experienced ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships' R&J Mr. Babak Bordbar Haghighisabet and Mr. Farzad Sadeghpoor. India's Mr. Engineer Farhad Kavasji worked in the last edition of the ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships in Pavlodar, Kazakhstan and his career is in the best way to judge also in an Olympics. South Korea's Mr. Jonghyo Ma and Uzbekistan's Mr. Aleksandr Khamidov also attended in the AIBA WSB/APB R&J Seminar in Assisi.

4 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 5 Together we are power

The Hong Kong City Box Cup was held in the recent week which was the first main Asian event in the international boxing map in 2017. The competition was the third edition which was held for the men elite and youth boxers in Hong Kong. Chinese Taipei’s teenage talents Tu Po Wei and Hsu Cheng Yu domi- nated their weight classes while Singapore’s Sayyid Qabeer Shah Bin Mahmud continued his win- ning path which he began in 2016.

Chinese Taipei's FISU World University Kong's second gold medal was delivered by Asian Games and all of their four talents Boxing Championships silver medallist Cheung Shun Hang who outpointed Macau's advanced to the finals in the Hong Kong City HONG KONG, CHINA, SINGAPORE 19-year-old Tu Po Wei competed at the Micael Ferreras Olfindo in the final of the Cup. Among them Leong Jun Hao defeated flyweight (52kg) in Hong Kong and proved lightweight (60kg). China's gold medals after Chinese Taipei's Mai Chia Hao in the final of he is better than the host nation's Tam Chun Wen Zifeng were achieved by Han Xu at the the light welterweight (64kg) and 21-year- AND CHINESE TAIPEI Hin in the final of the event. The final verdict bantamweight (56kg) and Gao Song at the old Sayyid Qabeer Shah Bin Mahmud was was 4:1 to Tu Po Wei which also shows the welterweight (69kg). Singapore's elite boxing too strong for China's two-time Hong Kong CLAIMED THE TITLES IN THE HONG KONG BOX CUP development of the Hong Kong boxer. Hong team has been preparing for the Southeast City Cup winner Guo Yingjie. Hong Kong Boxing Association gave Their neighbouring Macau confirmed bantamweight (56kg) where he was able chance for the region's best boxers to raise its participation firstly and the small to beat Chinese Taipei's Chung Cheng their experiences in the competition. This country sent two boxers to the event. Chung in a narrow bout. The third gold is a new event in the Asian boxing map China, Chinese Taipei and Singapore also medal among the youth boxers was won Winners in the 3rd Hong Kong City Cup which was hosting by the Hong Kong sent boxers to the 2017 Hong Kong City by China's Ling Yunjie who stopped Hong Boxing Association only the third time after Box Cup where four nations were able to Kong's Lin Wei Xin in the final of the launching the competition two years ago get titles in the ten weight classes. Youth lightweight (60kg). The referee confirmed Youth 52 kg: Hsu Cheng Yu, Chinese Taipei Elite 49 kg: Wen Zifeng, China in 2015. boxers could compete in three categories his RSC success in the third round of their Host of the competition Hong Kong while elite athletes in seven weight classes gold medal bout. Youth 56 kg: Gurung Ashish, Hong Kong Elite 52 kg: Tu Po Wei, Chinese Taipei could not get any gold medals on home in the Hong Kong City Cup. China's 19-year-old Wen Zifeng won soil in the last edition of the event in Chinese Taipei's Hsu Cheng Yu was the title in the Hong Kong City Cup in Youth 60 kg: Ling Yunjie, China Elite 56 kg: Han Xu, China 2016 but their boxers could raise their quarter-finalist in the AIBA Youth World 2015 and also in 2016 and the double international experiences. Hong Kong's Boxing Championships in November and champion was among the participants of Elite 60 kg: Cheung Shun Hang, Hong Kong top athletes were in the competition and lost to only eventual winner Sachin Siwach the elite light flyweight (49kg) this time as planning and did better performance this Singh of India. Chinese Taipei's 17-year-old well. The Chinese youngster had another Elite 64 kg: Leong Jun Hao, Singapore time claiming two titles in the front of the top talent fought at the flyweight (52kg) teenage opponent in the final, Singapore's home crowd. The competition was held this time and dominated his final against Commonwealth Youth Games quarter- Elite 69 kg: Gao Song, China according to the new AIBA rules using all Choi Kai Ming of Macau. finalist Prithiv Raaj Elansharan but Wen of the 5 judges to select the winners. Hong Kong's first gold medal was was able to solve that tactical job in Hong Elite 75 kg: Sayyid Qabeer Shah Bin Mahmud, Singapore achieved by Gurung Ashish at the youth Kong.

6 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 7 Together we are power TWO-TIME AIBA WOMEN’S WORLD CHAMPION NAZYM KYZAIBAY WINS IN THE ZHARYL- GAPOV TOURNAMENT

The Galym Zharylgapov Tourna- medal with another Uzbek youngster ment delivered high number of Rio 2016 Olympian Yodgoroy Mirzaeva. big battles in the elite women Ibragimova did perfect performance against her second Uzbek rival in the final and in the elite men competi- of the lightweight (60kg) and won her first tions as well. Host Kazakhstan big international tournament during her claimed eleven gold medals career. among the possible thirteen in Kazakhstan’s AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships quarter-finalist at the lightweight (60kg) where he favourite Kazakhstan’s Abzal Kuttybekov Bekzhan Bakirov who defeated Tajikistan’s strong for Kazakhstan’s former ASBC Asian the Serik Sapiyev Olympic Center 20-year-old Violetta Knyazeva eliminated defeated Almaty region’s Miras Yertanov and won the title in the Zharylgapov ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Junior Champion 19-year-old Dmitriy but China and Uzbekistan also Uzbekistan’s AIBA Women's World Boxing while Aidar Imangaliyev and 18-year- Memorial Tournament. Championships bronze medallist Nodir Zisko. Another Chinese boxer Abulaiti did well enough in the Galym Championships competitor Nafisakhon old Vasiliy Samchuk claimed the bronze In the final of the heavyweight (91kg) Mukhammadiyev in the quarter-final. Abudusemaiti defeated Kazakhstan’s FISU Zharylgapov Tournament. Askarova in the semi-final and she was medals. National Championships bronze Kazakhstan’s Tammer Tournament winner China’s Xinjiang-based Ai Hemaiti did University World Champion Nursultan also too strong for Kazakhstan’s Akerke medallist Maksat Zheksenbi won the next Aleksey Sevostyanov was too strong to a big surprise in the final of the super Amanzholov in the quarter-final of the Bakhytzhan in the final of the middleweight gold medal following his success over 22- his Taraz-based 20-year-old teammate heavyweight (+91kg) when he was too event. The Galym Zharylgapov Tournament (75kg). year-old Nikolay Shvab while Kyrgyzstan’s was held in the city of Karagandy which In the first men final of the Zharylgapov strong duo Abdurakhman Abdurakhmanov is located in the Northern part of Tournament Kazakhstan’s 18-year- and Daniyar Damirdin Uulu both lost their Kazakhstan. Besides to the host Kazakhstan old Zhandos Nesipzhan defeated his quarter-final contests. Winners in the Galym Zharylgapov Tournament their neighbouring countries Uzbekistan, teammate Almaty region’s Alisher Kazakhstan's Sergey Karbivnichiy Kyrgyzstan, China and Tajikistan also sent Aytkozhanov who was also born in 1998 surprised the crowd with his performance talents among their best boxers to the as the eventual winner. Kazakhstan’s in the final of the welterweight Women’s 51 kg: Nazym Kyzaibay, Kazakhstan Men’s 49 kg: Zhandos Nesipzhan, Kazakhstan event in Karagandy. Women and men Karagandy-based Akinet Baltabayev (69kg) where he defeated Vladislav boxers could also compete for the medals had to meet in the final of the flyweight Preobrazhenskiy while Tajikistan’s former Women’s 60 kg: Karina Ibragimova, Kazakhstan Men’s 52 kg: Akinet Baltabayev, Kazakhstan in Karagandy which was the 33rd edition in (52kg) with 18-year-old Orazbek Asylkulov National Champion Ibodullo Karimov the history of the event. which he could solve with his best tactical advanced only to the last 8 in Karagandy. Women’s 75 kg: Violetta Knyazeva, Kazakhstan Men’s 56 kg: Bekzhan Kuralov, Kazakhstan Kazakhstan’s two-time AIBA Women’s weapons while former Youth National Kazakhstan’s next gold medal was World Champion Nazym Kyzaibay Champion Rustem Shaumenov claimed delivered by Rustam Zhumagulov who Men’s 60 kg: Sergey Makarikhin, Kazakhstan eliminated China’s ASBC Asian Women’s only bronze medal. defeated former ASBC Asian Junior Champion E Naiyan in the quarter-final, Kazakhstan’s Bekzhan Kuralov competed Champion Vladislav Stolbovskiy while Men’s 64 kg: Maksat Zheksenbi, Kazakhstan Uzbekistan’s Tursunoy Rakhimova in the in international events in Russia and other China’s Tuo Heta and Kazakhstan’s 2013 semi-final and finally she was able to countries but he was not the favourite of AIBA Junior World Champion Rakhat Men’s 69 kg: Sergey Karbivnichiy, Kazakhstan beat Uzbekistan’s 18-year-old Azizabonu the bantamweight (56kg) in Karagandy. Marzhikpayev won the bronze medals at Mamirova in the final of the Zharylgapov The young talent walked over to the the middleweight (75kg). Men’s 75 kg: Rustam Zhumagulov, Kazakhstan Tournament. Tajikistan’s national team gold medal against Kanat Turganbayev China’s newcomer in the national team member female boxer Svetlana Veglina while Erlan Tamemov and Kyrgyzstan’s Jiang Hujia eliminated Kyrgyzstan’s Rio Men’s 81 kg: Jiang Hujia, China missed to get any medal this time. multiple international tournament winner 2016 Olympian Erkin Adylbek Uulu in a Kazakhstan’s 20-year-old Karina Sirodjiddin Abdullaev failed to get any top semi-final bout which was the main Men’s 91 kg: Aleksey Sevostyanov, Kazakhstan Ibragimova walked over to the final against medal in Karagandy. surprise of the light heavyweight (81kg). Uzbekistan’s Gulnoza Rakhmatova in the Kazakhstan’s Sergey Makarikhin The young Chinese talent was able to Men’s +91 kg: Ai Hemaiti, China semi-final and had to meet for the gold delivered the next sensational performance continue his wining path against another

8 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 9 Together we are power THE DUISENKUL SHOPOKOV TOUR- NAMENTS STARTS WITH THE WEIGH-IN

The first big men’s elite boxing event in 2017 in our Asian continent will be the 41st edition of the Duisenkul Shopokov Memo- rial Tournament in the Bishkek Sport Palace in Kyrgyzstan from tomorrow. The annual Duisenkul Shopokov Memorial Tournament will be held in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan open- ing from January 31 which is a tradition the event starts the new year for the Asian elite men boxers.

According to the head coach of the Kyrgyz Republic Mr. Adylkan Bekbolotov the following nations will be there in the opening tomorrow: China, Kazakhstan, host Kyrgyzstan, Russia, Tajikistan, and Uzbekistan. The competition will see more than 100 bouts in ten weight classes from the 49kg up to the +91kg. Duisenkul Shopokov was the hero of the Soviet Union who died during the Great Patriotic War at the Battle of Moscow during World War II in December 1941. The tournament was named after him and the current competition will be the 41st edition in Bishkek where several strong nations have registered to take part in the Kyrgyzstan. The host nation of the event claimed five gold medals in the 40th edition of the Duisenkul Shopokov Memorial Tournament in Bishkek one year ago. Russia secured three top positions which is their best performance in the recent editions while Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan both achieved one gold medal in Bishkek last February.

Schedule of the 41st Shopokov Memorial Tournament in Bishkek January 31 - Arrival of the delegations January 31, 16:00 - Officials and R&J Meeting January 31, 18:00 - Official weigh-in February 1 - Preliminaries February 2 - Preliminaries February 3 - Quarter-finals February 4 - Semi-finals February 5 - Finals of the tournament February 6 - Departure of the delegations

10 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 11 Together we are power Zorigtbaatar Uyanga winning the final by eliminated teenage hope Byambatsogt Jargal Otgonjargal was bronze medallist points. The sixth gold medal in the women Tuguldur in the semi-final and met for in the Guangzhou 2010 Asian Games part of the Nationals was delivered by the gold with Rio 2016 Olympian Enkh- and he is trying to regain his place in Bayantsetseg Nyamjargal who defeated Amar Kharkhuu who moved up to the the national squad. The 26-year-old teenage talent Lkhagvadorj Angarag. bantamweight (56kg). Misheelt proved boxer dominated all of his contests in the Odgerel Gerelgua was silver medallist in smart boxing in the final of the category middleweight (75kg) while experienced the last edition of the Mongolian National and defeated his top rival winning his first boxers such as Davaanyam Davaasuren Championships but this time she was ever national elite title in Ulaanbaatar. and Batbayar Erkhembayar failed to get able to win the title following her success Erdenebat Tsendbaatar was quarter- any medal in the National Championships. over Tserensuren Ariuntuya in the final finalist in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games Narmandakh Shinebayar moved up of the welterweight (69kg). Munkhbat and he is one of the biggest Mongolian to the light heavyweight (81kg) since the Myagmarjargal moved up to the Olympic hope in the upcoming years. The 20-year- qualification events and his experiences middleweight (75kg) and won the last old super talented boxer moved up to the were enough to adopt the level of punches gold medal of the women competition lightweight (60kg) and defeated in the quickly in the National Championships. after beating national team member final Asian Games winner and Rio 2016 The 29-year-old boxer met with another Erdenebileg Erdenetuya. Olympic Games bronze medallist veteran veteran athlete in the final of the event, Khilchin's Gankhuyag Gan-Erdene Dorjnyambuu Otgondalai in the bout of Battur Sodgerel and his efforts were returned after the Rio 2016 Olympic the championships. enough to win his first title in his new Games and proved he is still Mongolia's Rio 2016 Olympian and Military World category. best light flyweight (49kg) boxer. The 24- Champion Baatarsukh Chinzorig is a boxer Mongolia's veteran boxer Sandagsuren year-old boxer had a hard opponent in the who needs to be watched in the upcoming Erdenebayar also decided to change first male final, Chinggis Khan Cup winner international events. The 25-year-old his category in the recent months and Enkhmandakh Kharkhuu but he was able light welterweight (64kg) boxer defeated attended at the heavyweight (91kg) in the to solve that tactical issue. talented Norovbal Otgontumur in the National Championships. Erdenebayar, Former AIBA Youth World Boxing quarter-final and he was also too strong who will be turning to 34 later this year, Championships quarter-finalist Gandulam for Bayarkhuu Ganbaatar in the gold eliminated veteran Daivii Otgonbayar in Mungun-Erdene had hard road to the medal bout. They met in the final of the the semi-final and defeated Bold Ganbayar final of the flyweight (52kg) as he had Chinggis Khan Cup last October and the for the gold medal. to beat Ganselem Ariunbold in the last result was the same in their re-match. Chuluuntumur Tumurkhuyag shined in eight. He was still enough fresh to do top Two-time Olympian Byamba Tuvshinbat several Asian events in the last decade YOUNG ERDENEBAT TSENDBAATAR performance in the final against national is member of the national team since when he competed at the welterweight team member Nurlan Askhar and secured 2006 therefore he is one of the most (69kg) and middleweight (75kg). Since his first elite title in Mongolia. experienced boxer at the welterweight then the 36-year-old boxer moved up DEFEATED RIO 2016 OLYMPIC GAMES Battumur Misheelt delivered the main (69kg) not only in Mongolia but in the to the super heavyweight (+91kg) and sensation of the Mongolian National Asian continent. The 29-year-old boxer defeated former Nationals Champions BRONZE MEDALLIST DORJNYAMBUU OTGONDALAI Championships at the bantamweight dominated his final fight against Batzorig such as Khishigbaatar Mandakhbayar, (56kg) where 24 boxers fought for the Otgonjargal and secured his next national Iderbat Davaalkhagva and Tolek Erbolat in IN THE MONGOLIANS NATIONALS medals. The 20-year-old top talent title. the final of the category.

The new edition of the Mongolian National Boxing Championships accurate punches than her 21-year-old was held in Ulaanbaatar where the country’s young talents did rival. Winners in the Mongolian National Championships their breakthrough causing several surprises against star boxers. Nergui Oyun-Erdene was involved to the national team in 2013 and since then The best performance in the Nationals was delivered by Erdenebat she competed in the AIBA Women's World Women’s 48 kg: Jargalan Ochirbat Men’s 49 kg: Gankhuyag Gan-Erdene Tsendbaatar who defeated Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze med- Boxing Championships as well. The 22- allist Dorjnyambuu Otgondalai in the final of the lightweight (60kg). year-old bantamweight (54kg) boxer had Women’s 51 kg: Myagmardulam Nandintsetseg Men’s 52 kg: Gandulam Mungun-Erdene to meet in the final of the category with Altogether 201 boxers from 39 clubs gold medal bout was an unique battle in former National Champion Myagmar Women’s 54 kg: Nergui Oyun-Erdene Men’s 56 kg: Battumur Misheelt including 60 women athletes competed the Mongolian National Championships. Gundegmaa but Oyun-Erdene was in the Mongolian National Boxing Ochirbat was able to repeat her enough quick to beat her for the title. Women’s 57 kg: Namuun Monkhor Men’s 60 kg: Erdenebat Tsendbaatar Championships which was a selection performance in the event and defeated Namuun Monkhor is not only Mongolia's event also for later actions in 2017. Nyamsuren in their re-match winning the biggest woman talent but she is one of Women’s 60 kg: Uranbileg Shinetsetseg Men’s 64 kg: Baatarsukh Chinzorig Mongolia had six male boxers in the Rio first title in the Nationals. the most promising boxer in Asia as well. 2016 Olympic Games which was one of Asian Games bronze medallist The 18-year-old talent had to meet in Women’s 64 kg: Bayantsetseg Nyamjargal Men’s 69 kg: Byamba Tuvshinbat their best performance in the recent two Myagmardulam Nandintsetseg and AIBA the final with Vladimir Safronov Memorial decades. Women's World Boxing Championships Tournament silver medallist Ochirbat Women’s 69 kg: Odgerel Gerelgua Men’s 75 kg: Jargal Otgonjargal Women boxers could compete in eight quarter-finalist Lutsaikhan Altantsetseg Lkhagvatsetseg but Namuun was in weight classes in the national event and delivered the best women final in the different level and bagged her second Women’s 75 kg: Munkhbat Myagmarjargal Men’s 81 kg: Narmandakh Shinebayar the first final delivered a top bout. Jargalan Mongolian National Championships. national elite title. Ochirbat defeated Taipei City Cup winner Altantsetseg is the younger talent who In the second Olympic category at the Men’s 91 kg: Sandagsuren Erdenebayar Janchiv Nyamsuren in the final of the moved up to the Olympic flyweight lightweight (60kg) Uranbileg Shinetsetseg Vladimir Safronov Memorial Tournament (51kg) but their bout was decided by the was able to get the title after beating Men’s +91 kg: Chuluuntumur Tumurkhuyag in Russia a few months ago therefore their experienced Nandintsetseg who had more Youth National Champion 19-year-old

12 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 13 Together we are power TWO-TIME OLYMPIAN SHIVA THAPA DOMINATED HIS NEW WEIGHT CLASS IN THE INDIAN NATIONALS The 63rd edition of the National Boxing Championships in India was held in which is located in the Northeastern part of the country and well known as the biggest city in state. India’s two-time Olympian Shiva Thapa shined in the competition in his new weight class and secured his next national title.

Haryana's regional Champion 21-year- Hussamuddin competed well enough results among the elite boxers yet. The 26- old Amit Panghal delivered the first in the junior and youth age groups but year-old light welterweight (64kg) boxer sensation of the Indian National Boxing currently he is already an elite boxer. had enough experiences since 2007 to get Championships at the light flyweight The Andhra Pradesh boxer used his the title in Guwahati where he had to do (49kg). He was named as Best Boxer in experiences to beat Akshay in the final of his very best and his tricky style against the previous junior and youth events but the weight class which was his first ever Rohit in the final. his triumph over AIBA Youth World Boxing national elite title. Two-time Olympian and Commonwealth Championships bronze medallist Shyam Two-time Olympian and 2013 ASBC Games winner veteran Manoj Kumar Kumar Kakara was an unexpected result in Asian Champion Shiva Thapa moved up to decided not to finish his career after the the final of the light flyweight (49kg). the lightweight (60kg) after the Rio 2016 Rio 2016 Olympic Games. The 30-year- Haryana region's 19-year-old Deepak Olympic Games and tried to adopt the old boxer moved up to the welterweight Singh delivered the next sensation of the level of the new category. The 23-year-old (69kg) where he was too strong for Indian National Boxing Championships boxer worked successfully, he defeated Duryodhan Singh in the final while former after Amit Panghal. The flyweight (52kg) national team member Ankush Dahiya for ASBC Asian Junior Champion 19-year- boxer advanced to the final of the division the gold medal while 2013 AIBA World old Prayag Chauhan showed also top and outpointed London 2012 Olympian Boxing Championships quarter-finalist performance and his bronze could be a and Commonwealth Games silver medallist Vikas Malik claimed only a bronze medal in first step in the elite level. Laishram Devendro Singh in the gold Guwahati. The middleweight (75kg) gold medal medal bout. Manipur's Mayengbam Thomashmetei was achieved by Jaideep who trains in New India's bantamweight (56kg) hope, competed in the international level in the Delhi and won a national title still back in Tammer Tournament competitor Mohamed recent years but he could not get top 2011. The 24-year-old boxer is 180cm tall and used his height advantage to beat Venhlimpuia in the final of the weight class. Jaideep has been boxing since 2004 Winners in the Indian National therefore his experiences could be enough Championships also in the international level. In the absence of London 2012 Olympian Sumit Sangwan a new boxer 23-year-old Manish Panwar won the gold 49 kg: Amit Panghal Kumar, 1995 medal at the light heavyweight (81kg). The Delhi-based boxer had a break in his carer 52 kg: Deepak Singh, 1997 but proved his skills are enough now to win gold medal in such a big event as the 56 kg: Mohamed Hussamuddin, 1994 Indian National Championships. Panwar defeated Rahul in the final by 3:2 which 60 kg: Shiva Thapa, 1993 shows the R&Js had hard job to pick the winner of the bout. 64 kg: Mayengbam Thomashmetei, 1990 The heavyweight (91kg) gold medal was achieved by Gaurav who demonstrated 69 kg: Manoj Kumar, 1986 his skills against Virender Kumar in Guwahati. The super heavyweight (+91kg) 75 kg: Jaideep, 1992 delivered an amazing battle between AIBA World Boxing Championships 81 kg: Manish Panwar, 1993 quarter-finalist Satish Kumar and experienced Parveen Kumar. The final 91 kg: Gaurav, 1995 verdict was unanimous decision to Satish Kumar while tall Amritpreet Singh, who +91 kg: Satish Kumar, 1989 moved up one weight class, took bronze medal this time.

14 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 15 Together we are power

List of the winners in the Uzbekistan Women's National Cup

48 kg: Fotimakhon Tursunbayeva

51 kg: Tursunoy Rakhimova

54 kg: Aziza Yokubova

57 kg: Raykhona Kodirova

60 kg: Yodgoroy Mirzaeva

64 kg: Maftunakhon Melieva

69 kg: Gavkhar Mirzaeva

81 kg: Nafisakhon Askarova

+81 kg: Guzal Ismatova

Raykhona Kodirova who delivered strong surprisingly eliminated Dzhizak's National performance winning all of her contests Champion Emine Shmykova in the last by RSC before the final bell. She stopped four. Bukhara's Nigina Soliyeva in the semi-final Tashkent's Gavkhar Mirzaeva was bronze and repeated the same performance in the medallist at the middleweight (75kg) in the TEENAGE FUTURE HOPES final of the featherweight (57kg) against Galym Zharylgapov Memorial Tournament Tashkent region's Madina Khayitkulova in Karagandy, Kazakhstan last month while Karakalpakstan's Youth National and following that international success Champion Gulim Urazymbetova took she returned to her original category. DOMINATED THE UZBEKISTAN WOMEN’S bronze in her first elite competition. The Uzbek National Championships Uzbekistan's first ever Olympian in silver medallist talent won her first women boxing 20-year-old Yodgoroy national title after beating Samarkand's Mirzaeva proved her skills in the Shakhnoza Suvankulova in the final of the NATIONAL CUP IN TASHKENT international level and after the August's welterweight (69kg). event she decided to move up to the Andizhan's AIBA Women's World lightweight (60kg). The super talented Boxing Championships competitor boxer stopped Dilfuza Dzhumanazarova Nafisakhon Askarova defeated national Uzbekistan Boxing Federation hosted its Women’s National Cup Gulasal Sultanaliyeva in the quarter-finals, who also proved her best in the whole in the last eight and controlled her key team member Dilnovaz Narkhodjayeva in in Tashkent which was their first event in 2017. Uzbekistan’s bets defeated another National Champion event. Rakhimova worked better and contest in the semi-final against Bukhara's the quarter-final of the light heavyweight women boxers such as Rio 2016 Olympian Yodgoroy Mirzaeva, Gulasal Atakulova in the last four and launched more accurate punches in their National Champion Gulnoza Rakhmatova. (81kg) which was her key contest in the finally she had to do her very best against final which was a classical teenage battle For the title of the Olympic category event. The experienced Askarova, who ASBC Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships silver Maftuna Muzaffarova for the gold. The with speedy attacks. the Samarkand-based boxer defeated had close bout also with US star Claressa medallist Guzal Ismatova and their Chinggis Khan Cup winners Tur- final verdict of their narrow bout was Dzhizak is one of the leading city of Asian Games competitor Muhayyohon Shields in 2016, won her final bout sunoy Rakhimova and Maftunakhon Melieva all won their weight split decision to Tursunbayeva who won Uzbekistan's women boxing life and Esonboyeva. against Dzhizak's Ezozakhon Melieva classes in Tashkent. Namangan's lone gold medal in the event. their favourite at the bantamweight Dzhizak's next top performance was unanimously. Uzbekistan's 19-year-old top talent (54kg) Aziza Yokubova was able to delivered by Chinggis Khan Cup winner Dzhizak's ASBC Asian Confederation National Champion and Chinggis Khan deliver top performance in the National 19-year-old Maftunakhon Melieva who Women's Boxing Championships silver Uzbekistan's women boxing life turned to for the elite female athletes saw 90 boxers Cup winner Tursunoy Rakhimova stopped Cup in Tashkent. She had a close semi- attended at the light welterweight (64kg) in medallist Guzal Ismatova did not give a new era when their top talent Yodgoroy and 81 bouts in Tashkent. The capital city Mokhichekhra Baratova in the quarter- final against her teammate Makhliyo the National Cup therefore she could not any chance to her opponents at the Mirzaeva qualified for the boxing of the country Tashkent and Dzhizak both finals and two-time Youth National Khabibullayeva and had to do her very meet with Rio 2016 Olympian Yodgoroy heavyweight (+81kg) in the National Cup. tournament of the Rio 2016 Olympic achieved three gold medals in the National Champion Dilnozakhon Nematullayeva best against a surprise boxer Andizhan's Mirzaeva this time. Strong Melieva She stopped her main rival Andizhan's Games. The Central Asian boxing power Cup. in the semi-finals. Both bouts finished Ugiloy Satimova for the gold while eliminated National Champion Khatuna two-time Youth National Champion 18- has been holding several national events Namangan's Fotimakhon Tursunbayeva before the final gong due Rakhimova's experienced Farida Turdiyeva claimed only Dzhumabayeva in the quarter-finals, year-old Gulchiroy Abdukakharova in the for women boxers each year to develop is the defending National Champion at lethal punches. Her final rival was Galym bronze. Namangan's Nozimakhon Umarova in the semi-final and walked over to the gold their skills and competition possibilities. the light flyweight (48kg) and she proved Zharylgapov Memorial Tournament silver Tashkent's second gold medal was semi-final and for the gold she defeated medal against Tashkent region's Shakhnoza The crowd at the Women's National Cup her best in the National Cup. She stopped medallist 18-year-old Azizabonu Mamirova achieved by National Elite Champion Kashkadaryo's Shakhlo Ushurova who Badalova.

16 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 17 Together we are power UZBEKISTAN STARTS THE YEAR WITH A TRAINING CAMP IN YANGIABAD

The Uzbek team trains in the city of Yangiabad to prepare well to the main goals in 2017 which is the first year in the new Tokyo 2020 Olympic cycle. The top Uzbek boxers including their Olympic medallists will be attending in the preparation AOB events, in the ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships and also in the Season VII of the in the first half of the year.

The 25th edition of the Uzbekistan National Uzbekistan's new sensation and flag Elite Boxing Championships was held in the bearer Shakhram Giyasov had a few city of Bekabad last November where the international successes in the recent years local crowd could see 212 boxers and 202 in smaller events but he was able to do bouts. The national coaches selected the the breakthrough in 2016. The 23-year- squad among the top boxers of their last old boxer moved up to the welterweight edition of the National Championships and (69kg) in November 2015 and following his from their Rio 2016 Olympian heroes. Uzbek national title he won the AIBA Asian Hasanboy Dusmatov claimed gold & Oceanian Olympic Qualification Event medal at the light flyweight (49kg) in the in Qian'an, China and qualified for the Rio Rio 2016 Olympic Games and won also 2016 Olympic Games. the Val Barker Trophy as the best boxer of Giyasov defeated all of his rivals in the the August's event. The Uzbek miniman is road to the finals in the Rio 2016 Olympic ready to continue his big things in 2017 and Games and he lost to only Kazakhstan's attending in the training camp in Yangiabad Daniyar Yeleussinov in the gold medal now after his Olympic successes. bout. His silver in Rio de Janeiro was his Shakhobiddin Zoirov also won a title career highlight and received the ASBC in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games where Asian Discovery of the Year Trophy. he defeated Russia's Misha Aloian in the Murodjon Akhmadaliev claimed silver Tashkent region's Elnur Abduraimov was Surkhandarya region's Rio 2016 middleweight (75kg) one year ago and his gold medal in their Youth National final of the flyweight (52kg). The 23-year- medal in the Doha 2015 AIBA World bronze medallist in the 2015 AIBA World Olympic Games quarter-finalist and AIBA decision was successful. Championships in 2015 and won the title old boxer moved up to the bantamweight Boxing Championships and bronze in Boxing Championships in Doha but could World Boxing Championships bronze The 21-year-old boxer was unbeaten in their Elite Nationals in 2016. (56kg) and he is ready to win new titles in the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the not compete in the Rio 2016 Olympic medallist Bakhodir Jalolov amazed the in 2016 and has got top chances to get Tashkent region's Abdulkhay his new category. Uzbekistan's Rio 2016 bantamweight (56kg). As Zoirov and Games due Uzbekistan's double quotas world's boxing life in the recent two years good results in the new year but his Sharakhmatov proved top performance Olympic Games silver medallist Bektemir Melikuziev he also changed his weight in the lightweight (60kg). The 22-year- and after his fourth national title he could teammate Strandja Memorial Tournament in the World Series of Boxing in Season Melikuziev also changed his weight class, he class in the recent months and will be old top WSB boxer moved up to the light be one of the key person of the super winner Makhmud Gaipov is also VI and delivered unbeaten performance is now at the light heavyweight (81kg) and making his debut at the lightweight (60kg) welterweight (64kg) in the recent months heavyweight (+91kg) in 2017. Khorezm dangerous for him in the middleweight in 2016. will be hard opponent for the stars of this soon in 2017. and after his strong performance in 2016 region's Incheon silver (75kg). Andizhan region's 19-year- Both talents could be new sensations in category. he is also ready to do big things in 2017. medallist Israil Madrimov moved up to the old Hasanboy Latibakhunov claimed our sport in 2017.

18 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 19 Together we are power Kazakhstan’s new team cap- tain is Adilbek Niyazymbetov who is one of the strongest boxer at the light heavyweight (81kg) in the whole world. He ADILBEK NIYAZYMBETOV was replaced Rio 2016 Olympic Games winner and AIBA World IS THE NEW TEAM CAPTAIN IN KAZAKHSTAN Champion Daniyar Yeleussinov in this position and will be lead- ing Kazakhstan’s national teams in the main events in 2017.

Kazakhstan's national icon Daniyar Yeleussinov turned to professional in the recent days and signed a contract with an Australian promoter therefore the head coach of the Kazakh national team Mr. Myrzagali Aitzhanov decided to give this important role to Adilbek Niyazymbetov who claimed seven medals in the elite World and Asian events since 2011. Niyazymbetov was born in Nukus, Uzbekistan on May 19 in 1989 and began boxing at the age of 11 in 2000. He reached his first international success at the 2007 Asian Junior Boxing Championships in Almaty where he stopped all of his opponents including Turkmenistan's Berdymurad Sahatov in the final of the light welterweight (64kg). Adilbek Niyazymbetov joined to the national elite team in 2011 and in that year he claimed silver medal in the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan. Following five superb triumphs in the championships at the light heavyweight (81kg) he lost to only Cuba's Julio Cesar La Cruz in the gold medal bout by 17:13. Kazakhstan's boxer repeated that performance in the London 2012 Olympic Games where he claimed silver after his loss by accepted scores to Russia's Egor Mekhontcev in the final of the event. Niyazymbetov took silver in the Almaty 2013 AIBA World Boxing Championships in the front of the home crowd and also in the 2013 ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in , Jordan. Following his plenty of silver medals he claimed gold medal in the Incheon 2014 Asian Games and in the 2015 ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in Bangkok, Thailand. Mangystau region's boxer delivered top performance in the road to the finals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and loss to only in the gold medal bout against Julio Cesar La Cruz. After that final he decided to continue his career and ready to box in the main international events in 2017.

20 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 21 Together we are power Japanese Women’s Elite & High School National Boxing Championships was held in the city of Om- ishima in the end of the year. The relatively small city is in the Ehime Prefecture which is located in the Shikoku Island of the country which has been preparing to its upcoming local Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. The Japanese women boxers reached a few got great chances in Tokyo in 2020. The was her first national title during her career. top results in the international competitions flyweight (51kg) talent dominated her final Miyu Otani and Makoto Kikuchi won the but actually they have got still three and half fight against Mizuki Hiruta while Satoko further titles in the elite part of the Japanese years to the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games to Nakata and strong Yuzu Ogawara claimed Women's National Championships. build up a team which will be able to get only bronze medals this time in the National In the absence of Japan’s best youth medals in the home event. Their young Championships. female boxer Tsukimi Namiki another talent talents could be enough strong to win key Japan’s experienced national team Sena Irie won the title at the flyweight competitions in the upcoming years in the member Aya Shinmoto attended at the (51kg) after beating High School National Olympic era. bantamweight (54kg) in the new edition Championships silver medallist Mei Following the Japanese National of the Nationals and controlled her final Miyamoto by split decision in a close final. Sports Festival their best women boxers bout against Satsuki Ito. Two national Azusa Ogura dominated her final against could compete in the Japanese Women's team member boxers met in the fourth Natsumi Iwasaki at the light flyweight Elite & High School National Boxing final of the elite part of the competition (48kg) among the youth boxers and Championships in Omishima. The light where Kana Kuroki defeated 19-year- reached her career highlight in Omishima. flyweight (48kg), the flyweight (51kg), the old Runa Kikuchi. The younger Kikuchi Hinami Yanai of Osaka defended her bantamweight (54kg) and the featherweight controlled the third round but Kuroki was national title in the high school level (57kg) divisions were the highlight of the able to renew in the final minutes and her following her unanimous success over national event. Elite and youth boxers also efforts were enough to win the title at the Jielyn Sekiguchi at the bantamweight (54kg) attended in the national event where the featherweight (57kg). in Omishima. Defending Youth National number of the athletes was more than 100. Misuzu Hayashi competed at the Champion and High School National The defending National Champion at featherweight (57kg) in the recent Champion 18-year-old Seira Hamaguchi the light flyweight (48kg) Tsubasa Komura main competitions but she moved up stopped Honoma Misaka in the final of the defeated High School National Champion to the Olympic lightweight (60kg) this lightweight (60kg) and proved she is a top 19-year-old Risa Nakata in the semi-final year. The AIBA Women's World Boxing talent in Japan. and she was able to beat former AIBA Championships competitor launched Japan’s Brazilian-descent youth boxer Women’s Junior World Champion Kasumi serious punches against Manami Yamashita Isabel Brito was silver medallist in the 2014 Saeki in the final of the event. Komura's and the referee confirmed her TKO success edition at the age of 16 but this time she efforts in the second part of their top in the second round. was able to get the title in Omishima. battle in the national event were enough Mai Kito delivered her best ever The 18-year-old talent had to meet in to defeat Saeki who had great results in the performance in the new edition of the final of the light welterweight (64kg) international level. the Japanese Women's National with Nanako Kodama and expected a big AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships. She stopped Tsukasa battle against her younger rival. Brito's Championships bronze medallist Madoka Akedo in the semi-final and continued her opponent injured in the last round therefore Wada could not qualify for the Rio 2016 winning path against Akari Nagata in the she was able to defend her title in the Olympic Games but she is only 21 and has final of the light welterweight (64kg) which championships after 2015.

Winners in the Japanese Women’s National Championships

MADOKA WADA, AYA SHINMOTO Youth 46 kg: Misaki Nasu Elite 48 kg: Tsubasa Komura Youth 48 kg: Azusa Ogura Elite 51 kg: Madoka Wada AND MISUZU HAYASHI Youth 51 kg: Sena Irie Elite 54 kg: Aya Shinmoto Youth 54 kg: Hinami Yanai Elite 57 kg: Kana Kuroki ARE THE BESTS IN THE JAPANESE Youth 57 kg: Kaho Hanada Elite 60 kg: Misuzu Hayashi Youth 60 kg: Seira Hamaguchi Elite 64 kg: Mai Kito WOMEN’S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIPS Youth 64 kg: Isabel Brito Elite 69 kg: Miyu Otani IN OMISHIMA Elite 75 kg: Makoto Kikuchi

22 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 23 Together we are power BEYBARYS ZHEKSEN AND SAGYNDYK TOGANBAY DEFENDED THEIR TITLES IN THE KAZAKH JUNIOR NATIONALS The Junior National Boxing Championships of the Republic of Kazakhstan was held in the city of Tekely which is located in the Almaty region of the coun- try. Two young boxers such as Beybarys Zheksen and Sagy- ndyk Toganbay were able to defend their titles in the Kazakh- stan Junior National Champion- Mangystau's Nurbek Orysbay was only down to the bantamweight (54kg) since Yesimzhanov and Kuanysh Abdalov in the Dzhozef Okaro has got African roots the Kazakhstan Junior National bronze medallist in the Southwestern that event. national event. but he lives and trains in Petropavlovsk in Championships in Uralsk one year ago ships. Regional Junior Championships last He had to do his very best to beat Yermakhan Zhakpekov had amazing Northern Kazakhstan. He claimed the gold where he claimed the gold medal at December just before the Junior National Pavlodar region's Dmitriy Barmin who year as a junior in 2016 and his younger medal in the 2015 Kazakhstan Schoolboys the middleweight (75kg). Since then All regions in Kazakhstan competed in Championships but his efforts were was in the Top8 in the last edition of the brother Yerasyl Zhakpekov was excellent in National Championships and won an he moved up to the light heavyweight the Junior National Championships in enough to get his first title during his Kazakhstan Junior National Championships the new edition of the Kazakhstan Junior international junior tournament in Tyumen, (80kg) but his skills were enough to beat Tekely where 10 different areas of the career. The 15-year-old talent defeated in 2016. National Championships. Kazakhstan Russia two months ago. The 16-year-old Mangystau's younger Azamat Nabatov country won titles. Altogether 160 athletes Karagandy region's Karim Serkbayev in Merek Dzhusupov Schoolboys Schoolboys National Championships talent was in top form in the final of the in the 13th final of the Junior National competed for the medals and boxers the gold medal bout of the light flyweight Tournament winner Akmola region's bronze medallist Yerasyl just joined to the middleweight (75kg) against Kagarandy Championships. The last gold medal of who were born in 2001 and in 2002 (48kg). Yerkanat Arystangali is also among the junior age group in the recent weeks but region's David Dyusembayev and won his the event was achieved by Dzhambul were eligible to compete in the Junior Karagandy region's next finalist Galib experienced junior boxers who controlled the 2002-born boxer was enough strong next national title. region's Arnur Akhmetzhanov who National Championships. The winners Dzhafarov Prizes Junior Tournament his final against Mukhtarkhan Zhumagali. to beat Kuandyk Maksut in the final of the Sagyndyk Toganbay had an impressive defeated Bakdaulet Shyrynkhan in the have got chance to compete in the quarter-finalist Talgat Syrymbetov did The lightweight (60kg) gold medal went to light middleweight (70kg). performance in the last edition of final of the heavyweight (+80kg). ASBC Asian Confederation Junior Boxing it better and claimed the title in the South Kazakhstan region's Bekzat Yerimbet Championships which will be held later this Junior National Championships following who triumphed over Astana's Bekbolat year. his success over Mangystau's Aldiyar Abdikerim. The first gold medal of the Kazakhstan Ishbergen. Syrymbetov was bronze Salimzhan Salimgereyev won the Winners in the Kazakhstan Junior National Championships Junior National Championships was medallist in the last Junior National regional championships at the light achieved by Akylbek Mukhtarov who trains Championships in 2016 and had enough middleweight (70kg) in October but 60 kg: Bekzat Yerimbet, 2001 in the capital city in Astana and defeated a experiences to beat his younger rival in since then he moved back to his original 44 kg: Akylbek Mukhtarov, 2002 boxer from Almaty, Daulet Seidaliyev in the Tekely. category to the light welterweight (63kg). 63 kg: Salimzhan Salimgereyev, 2001 final of the 44kg weight class. Mukhtarov Beybarys Zheksen was member of He won the Kazakhstan Schoolboys 46 kg: Makhmut Sabyrkhan, 2001 is a new face in Kazakhstan's junior boxing the Kazakh junior national team in 2016 National Championships in 2014 and as a 66 kg: Almat Zhanibekuly, 2001 life but defeated all of his rivals in the and he claimed medals in the main junior boxer he achieved his first national 48 kg: Nurbek Orysbay, 2001 national event. competitions. The Children of Asia title in Tekely following his success over Makhmut Sabyrkhan lives in the South Games silver medallist and Akim Junior Nurym Sabetuly. 50 kg: Talgat Syrymbetov, 2001 70 kg: Yerasyl Zhakpekov, 2002 Kazakhstan region and following his Prizes Tournament winner super talented Almaty's Almat Zhanibekuly did a small title in the Southwestern Regional Junior Zheksen did not give any chance to surprise in the final of the welterweight 52 kg: Beybarys Zheksen, 2001 75 kg: Dzhozef Okaro, 2001 Championships he was able to get a Aldiyar Slambek in the final of the light (66kg) where he defeated Makanalin & national title in the event. He has got bantamweight (52kg) and defended his Nokerbekov & Satenov Junior Tournament 54 kg: Alikhan Sembay, 2002 80 kg: Sagyndyk Toganbay, 2001 excellent technique and his combinations throne. winner Yersultan Nazarkulov who was the were too quick for Almaty's Yerasyl Tankay Alikhan Sembay won the regional main favourite of the category in Tekely. 57 kg: Yerkanat Arystangali, 2001 +80 kg: Arnur Akhmetzhanov, 2001 in the final of the pinweight (46kg). championships last October and moved The bronze medals were won by Alden

24 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 25 Together we are power Tajikistan’s capital city Dushanbe hosted its city championships for the men’s junior boxers where 13 new champions have been crowned. The Dushanbe Junior Championships saw four top tal- ents of the country such as Mavlon Fayziyev (46kg), Khudoynazar Malakhbekov (52kg), Timur Negmatulloev (63kg) and Mekhrnush Kalandarov (66kg).

Boxers who were born in 2001 and in 2002 won the gold medal in the last edition of were eligible to compete in the Dushanbe the Tajikistan Junior National Championships Junior Championships. Some of these in October and he was the main favourite winning Tajik talents could be there in the of his new weight class. The 15-year-old upcoming 2017 ASBC Asian Confederation talent moved up to the light bantamweight Junior Boxing Championships which will be (52kg) in the recent weeks but he was able to held in the Philippines in August. Coaches dominate his final against Bekhruz Karimov. of the country such as Abbos Negmatulloev, Tajikistan's another top future hope could Emomali Mallayev, Khurshed Djurayev, be 14-year-old Timur Negmatulloev who is Mansur Mukhiddinov and Marufjon 185cm tall at the light welterweight (63kg) Faizulloev were all satisfied with the level of and used his height as weapon to keep the the championships. distance against Komron Karimov in the final The first gold medal of the Dushanbe of the Dushanbe Junior Championships. Junior Championships was achieved by Timur's elder brother Shabbos was bronze Abubakr Rakhimov who defeated Bilol Gulov medallist in the 2013 AIBA Junior World in the final of the 40kg weight class. The 14- Boxing Championships in Kiev and since then year-old boxer did sensational movements he is member of the national elite team while on feet in the gold medal bout and after his father is Abbos Negmatulloev, Tajikistan's the final bell he celebrated his well deserved head coach. victory in Dushanbe. Mekhrnush Kalandarov was quarter-finalist Mavlon Fayziyev claimed the gold medal in the last edition of the Tajikistan Junior in the last edition of the Tajikistan Junior National Championships in 2016 but this National Championships in October and kept time he was able to win all of his contests in his weight in the recent three months. The the Dushanbe Junior Championships. The pinweight (46kg) boxer had to meet in the 15-year-old talent was too strong for Safarali final of the Dushanbe Junior Championships Fozilov in the final of the welterweight (66kg) with Sukhrob Davlatov and he was able in Dushanbe. to solve that tactical job using his quick Ilkhom Rozikov had to meet in the final attacks. The 15-year-old boxer is among of the light middleweight (70kg) against the the top hopes of Tajikistan and has got favourite Sorbon Rakhmatov but he was chance to represent the country in the 2017 able to solve that tactical issue in Dushanbe. ASBC Asian Confederation Junior Boxing The last two gold medals were delivered by Championships. Fuzayli Khushbakhtov who defeated Muzaffar Khudoynazar Malakhbekov came from a Abdullozoda and Mirali Makhmadsodikov boxing family and his name is well-known who triumphed over Odina Odinayev in the in Tajikistan. The Dushanbe-based boxer event.

Winners in the Dushanbe Junior Championships

40 kg: Abubakr Rakhimov 60 kg: Toshpulod Khomidov TAJIKISTAN’S 14-YEAR-OLD 42 kg: A. Davlatmukhammatzoda 63 kg: Timur Negmatulloev 46 kg: Mavlon Fayziyev 66 kg: Mekhrnush Kalandarov TIMUR NEGMATULLOEV 48 kg: Abdurakhmon Alizoda 70 kg: Ilkhom Rozikov 50 kg: Abdullo Akhmedjonov 75 kg: Fuzayli Khushbakhtov AMAZED THE CROWD IN THE 52 kg: Khudoynazar Malakhbekov +80 kg: Mirali Makhmadsodikov DUSHANBE JUNIOR CHAMPIONSHIPS 57 kg: Odil Yosinjoni

26 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 27 Together we are power SUCCESSFUL R&J COURSE IN VIETNAM An important Referee & Judge Course was held in Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam where the national level R&Js could raise their knowledges in all areas of the sport. Vietnam is a develop- ing boxing nation with a great possibility in the future to reach the level of the top Asian coun- tries in the upcoming years.

Vietnam's population reached more than 90 million in the recent years and the sport has got better reputation than ever in the Southeast Asian country. Boxing has got tradition in Vietnam and after a short dark period our combat sport became popular once again in the last decade following their hard work. Vietnam’s 3-star AIBA Referee & Judge Mr. Vuong Trong Nghia is an engine in the country to develop the level of the local R&Js which is one of the key issue for further goals and directives. The number of the participants in the R&J Course was 63 from 18 different provinces and among them 7 applicants were women. Vietnam will be hosting the 2017 ASBC Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships in Ho Chi Minh City in October which shows the great commitment for our combat sport in the country. Ho Chi Minh City or formerly known as Saigon is famous of its martial arts sport schools and boxing life. Their best Referee & Judges could be there in the continental event which could be a highlight in Vietnam's boxing life. Vietnam's Incheon 2014 Asian Games bronze medallists' duo such as 23-year-old Luu Thi Duyen and Southeast Asian Games winner Le Thi Bang are the flag bearers of women boxing in the country and have got chance to win top bouts in the main events in 2017. Vietnam will be also there in the boxing tournament of the Southeast Asian Games and all important ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in 2017.

28 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 29 Together we are power

The Iranian youth team has been preparing with full speed to accomplish their goals in 2017 which will be another busy year for all Asian countries in the first period of the Tokyo 2020 Olympic era. Iran’s top talents have been invited to the training camp to start the year with physical preparation to raise their fitness and speed.

in Tehran. The boxers have arrived who is five-time National Champion in now to get medals for Iran in the 2017 from 10 different parts of Iran including different age groups, also invited to the competitions. Mazandaran, Khuzestan, Golestan, training camp to Tehran to raise their Mohammad Asghari trains in Tehran IRANIAN YOUTH TEAM Kurdistan, Tehran, Central region, Eastern current skills. and competed well enough in the Abbas Azerbaijan and Bushehr as well. The 17-year-old boxer achieved Agalarov Youth Tournament in Baku, Mazandaran has got always strong bronze medal in the 2015 ASBC Azerbaijan in December which delivered boxers, used to be their hero was Asian Asian Confederation Junior Boxing for him a place in the training camp. The PREPARES FOR THE MAIN Games winner and ASBC Asian Champion Championships in Tashkent, Uzbekistan 17-year-old talent was the only boxer Ali Mazaheri who was the best athlete and has got chance to reach better results from the capital city of the big country in our continent at the heavyweight among the youth athletes in 2017. who was selected to take part in the COMPETITIONS IN TEHRAN (91kg) between 2010 and 2012. Five Iran has got strong super heavyweight preparation. youth talents have been selected from (+91kg) boxers and their current youth The next edition of the ASBC the Mazandaran region including Ashkan No.1 in that category is Amir Mohammad Asian Confederation Youth Boxing The Enghelab Sport Complex, which is daily who participate in different activities Following the decision of the Iranian Rezaei who has got enough international Noorshad who took bronze medal in the Championships will be held in Bangkok, the venue of the Iranian youth team's and trainings. The sport complex hosted Boxing Federation 14 boxers have been experiences from 2016 to do great things Abbas Agalarov Youth Tournament in Baku, Thailand in July and the Iranian squad is training camp, was opened in 1958 and several Iranian national boxing events in invited from the 1999-2000 born age in the New Year. Iran's biggest boxing Azerbaijan one month ago. The 17-year- planning to get medals in the continental the sport hall hosts about 10,000 people the recent years. group to take part in the training camp talent, Hossein Mousa Khani of Bushehr, old talent is also enough experienced event in Southeast Asia.

30 www.asbcnews.org January, 2017 31 Together we are power

UPCOMING EVENTS IN FEBRUARY 2017

January 31 – February 6, 2017 Duisenkul Shopokov Memorial Tournament, Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

February 2-6, 2017 Mongolian Youth National Championships, Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia

February 3-4, 2017 World Series of Boxing Season 2017 Week1, Sanya, China

February 14-18, 2017 Turkmenistan Elite National Championship, Ashgabat, Turkmenistan

February 16-18, 2017 Saudi Arabian Preliminary Junior Championships, Abha, Saudi Arabia

February 17-18, 2017 World Series of Boxing Season 2017 Week3, Sanya, China & Taldykorgan, Kazakhstan

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