Three Sri Lankan pugilists were featured in today’s semifinals of the ASBC Asian U22 and Youth Championships, but all of them fell short of reaching the final. The Kazakhs dominated the day, as usual, booking their places in the finals on numerous occasions.
In the opening bout of the day, Kazakhstan’s Mukhit Nurkabyluly defeated Saudi Arabia’s Ziyad Alshehri in the light welterweight (63.5kg) category. The Kazakh boxer will meet Kyrgyzstan’s Mukhammed Alimbekov, who knocked out India’s Tarun Gandass within 90 seconds of the first round.
>>Sri Lankan boxers shine on Day 2, at the ASBC Boxing Championship<<
Next, Kyrgyzstan’s Ali Baryktabasov met Tajikistan’s Mukhammadsulton Sultonov in the welterweight (67kg) category semifinal, where the Tajik boxer came out on top. In the final, he will face Kazakhstan’s Sultan Turdaly, who comprehensively beat his Saudi Arabian opponent, Awaji Rayan.
In the first semifinal of the light middleweight (71kg) category, Kyrgyzstan’s ASBC Asian Junior Champion Akhmadi Arvaz delivered a fierce attack against Australia’s Aden Nedanovski and triumphed using his height advantage. In the second semifinal, Tajikistan’s promising boxer Alisherikhudo Kholov won by technical knockout against Vietnam’s Lo Manh Truong, ending the bout in just a couple of minutes.
>>ASBC Asian Under-22 and Youth Boxing Championships launched in grand style<<
Tajikistan’s Abubakr Gafurov then competed against India’s Harshit Harshit in the first semifinal of the middleweight (75kg) category. The Tajik boxer was accurate with his strong jabs and finished the bout within one and a half minutes of the first round.
In the second semifinal, Sri Lankan pugilist Sanchitha Kavish Perera fought Kazakhstan’s experienced player Zhassulan Berdaly. Another Sri Lankan hope was dashed, as the Kazakh won the battle within the very first round.
>>A tough day for Sri Lankan youth boxers<<
In the first semifinal of the light heavyweight (80kg) category, Afghanistan’s Firdous Najibi delivered a brilliant performance against Saudi Arabia’s Ahmed Kashmiri, becoming Afghanistan’s first finalist in the tournament. In the second semifinal, Kazakhstan’s 18-year-old Igor Solovyev comfortably beat India’s Abhishek Singh.
India’s Yash Kumar dominated his bout against Afghanistan’s Abdullah Baheer Qayoumi with powerful jabs in the first semifinal of the cruiserweight (86kg) category. In the second semifinal, Kyrgyzstan’s Aziret Avtandilov defeated Kazakhstan’s Nursultan Kystaubay to advance to the final.
>>Usaith was victorious and secured a medal for Sri Lanka<<
In the first semifinal of the heavyweight (92kg) category, Oman Hotak achieved another sensational success for Afghanistan by becoming the second Afghan pugilist to reach a final. Hotak defeated Iraq’s Bashder Karar Hayder after the bout was stopped by the ringside doctor due to Hayder’s shoulder injury.
In the super heavyweight (+92kg) category, United Arab Emirates pugilist Orkhan Aghayev displayed a heroic effort against Kazakhstan’s ASBC Asian Junior Champion Beksultan Kayratuly. Despite his efforts, the Kazakh boxer advanced to the final, where he will face Kyrgyzstan’s Karimzhan Imenkhodzhayev, who comfortably beat Saudi Arabia’s Adam Aljayshani after three counts within just a couple of minutes.
>>Sri Lankan boxers punch through to Semi Finals<<
Tajikistan’s ASBC Asian Junior Champion Farinoz Abdulloyeva and Kazakhstan’s Zhanel Imantayeva had a toe-to-toe battle in the first female contest of the day. Although the Tajik bantamweight (54kg) boxer fought hard, a superb final round performance secured a place in the final for the Kazakh. Her rival will be Vietnam’s Vu Thi Tom, who defeated Sri Lankan boxer Hiruni Fernando. Hiruni fought with determination against her formidable opponent, but her punches lacked the power needed to gain the upper hand, allowing the Vietnamese to secure the win.
In the women’s featherweight (57kg) category semifinal, Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Bich delivered a splendid performance against Kyrgyzstan’s Elizaveta Lyneva and advanced to the final. In the next semifinal, Kazakhstan’s Aknur Tursyngali faced Sri Lanka’s Malithi Gamage. Although the Sri Lankan lass showed aggression and bravery against her strong opponent, the Kazakh boxer advanced easily to the final. The local talent fought through the full three rounds without giving up, despite receiving heavy blows, and showcased her promising future.
In the lightweight (60kg) category semifinal, Kyrgyzstan’s Adelia Adylbek Kyzy beat Tajikistan’s Mino Azamzoda after a thrilling fight. In the next semifinal, Kazakhstan’s ASBC Champion Tolganay Kassymkhan launched a fierce attack on Saudi Arabia’s Rifan Jayzani, and at the end of the first round, the Saudi boxer withdrew from the fight by throwing in the towel.
In the final bout, the Asian Champion Kazakhstan’s Alina Kudaigenova knocked out Eliza Makzatova within just 90 seconds, displaying her supremacy in the segment.
