22 Asian boxers advanced to the semi-finals of the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia
Europe’s biggest boxing event the Strandja Memorial Tournament is running in the Bulgarian capital in Sofia where 16 women and 38 men boxers are attending from our Asian continent. Among them 22 are advanced to the semi-finals of the Strandja Memorial Tournament including the young Filipinas, Uzbeks, and Kazakhs before Chinese Taipei’s Chen Nien Chin continued her winning path.
China, India, Kazakhstan, Philippines, Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan sent boxers to the 70th edition of the Strandja Memorial Tournament which is one of their preparation events before the ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships. Altogether 37 nations are attending in the Strandja Memorial Tournament which makes the Bulgarian event one of the biggest ones in the whole world.
Chinese Taipei’s Chen Nien Chin eliminated Angelsen once again
Chinese Taipei’s AIBA Women’s World Champion and Rio 2016 Olympian Chen Nien Chin had to meet in the final of the Golden Girl Box Championships with Norway’s Madeleine Angelsen and following their first meeting the two young boxers met in the quarter-finals of the Strandja Memorial Tournament. The 21-year-old Chen was too quick and technician for her Norwegian rival in the last eight and eliminated Angelsen on their re-match at the women’s welterweight (69kg).
The Filipino ladies performed strongly in the quarter-finals
Philippines’ Josie Gabuco was AIBA Women’s World Champion in 2012 but her success over Russia’s current EUBC European Women’s Champion Ekaterina Paltseva is a top result at the light flyweight (48kg). Philippines’ second success was achieved by Irish Magno who used her best fighting distance to eliminate Azerbaijan’s Anakhanim Aghayeva at the women’s flyweight (51kg). Philippines arrived to Sofia with three women boxers and their third one Aira Villegas also advanced to the semi-finals following her success over Australia’s 21-year-old Taylah Robertson at the bantamweight (54kg).
The top Kazakh boxers advanced to the semi-finals in Sofia
Kazakhstan’s new head coach Mr. Galymbek Kenzhebayev combined the experienced boxers with younger team members and their squad amazed the crowd in the quarter-finals of the Strandja Memorial Tournament. Amman 2013 ASBC Asian Champion Temirtas Zhussupov eliminated Bulgaria’s Ergyunal Sabri before their next veteran Zakir Safiullin bowed out Georgia’s EUBC European Confederation Boxing Championships silver medallist Otar Eranosyan at the lightweight (60kg). Rio 2016 Olympic Games silver medallist Vassiliy Levit worked well against United States’ Jarred Anderson at the heavyweight (91kg). Following the successes of their veterans two youngsters such as Sanatali Toltayev (60kg) and Youth Olympic Games winner Ablaikhan Zhussupov shined in Sofia.
Sharakhmatov and the young Uzbeks defeated top rivals in the quarter-finals
Uzbekistan’s Indian Open International Tournament winner Khudoynazar Fayzov had to do his very best to eliminate India’s Commonwealth Games winner Gaurav Solanki which was a narrow fight at the flyweight (52kg). Uzbekistan’s powerful WSB boxer Abdulkhay Sharakhmatov delivered the best victory in the quarter-finals when he defeated United States’ AIBA World Boxing Championships silver medallist Duke Ragan at the bantamweight (56kg). Asian Games silver medallist Shunkor Abdurasulov (60kg) and Jakarta 2018 Asian Games winner Bobo-Usmon Baturov (69kg) both bowed out Turkish boxers in Sofia.
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