Finally 23 Asian boxers are guaranteed medallists in the Islamic Solidarity Games after the quarter-finals

The third part of the quarter-finals was held in the boxing tournament of the Islamic Solidarity Games in Baku, Azerbaijan where Kazakhstan delivered perfect day with three tough triumphs. The strong Asian boxers took further 7 guaranteed medal places in the fifth competition day. Altogether 23 Asian boxers advanced to the semi-finals and won guaranteed medals in the Islamic Solidarity Games.

Flyweight (52kg):
Kazakhstan’s former National Champion and Bocskai Memorial Tournament winner Azat Makhmetov joined to the international events in 2013 and he achieved several titles in the AOB events. The 26-year-old boxer, who claimed silver in the last Kazakh National Championships in 2016, needed to do his very best against Turkmenistan’s Zarip Jumayev in the preliminary round but after that he had an easier bout against Pakistan’s Syed Muhammad Asif. Asia’s second guaranteed medal was achieved by Uzbekistan’s WSB hope Abrorjon Kodirov who eliminated Azerbaijan’s favourite Masud Yusifzade.

Light welterweight (64kg):
Pavlodar’s 21-year-old Kuan Kuatov is Kazakhstan’s new light welterweight (64kg) hope who claimed silver medal in the National Championships half year ago. The young talent had a close preliminary bout against Kyrgyzstan’s Daniyar Damirdin Uulu but in his second he delivered better performance against Turkmenistan’s Zufar Saparbayev who was also in the Top8 at the Thailand International Invitational Tournament as Kuatov.
Jordan’s Rio 2016 Olympian and Incheon 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist Obada Al-Kasbeh was not able to qualify for the Hamburg 2017 AIBA World Boxing Championships in Tashkent but he advanced to the last four in Baku where he eliminated Turkey’s Volkan Gokcek. The third Asian boxer in the semi-finals will be Uzbekistan’s former AIBA Junior World Champion Aliyor Noraliyev who eliminated Azerbaijan’s favourite and experienced Elvin Isayev in the fifth competition day.

Middleweight (75kg):
Kazakhstan’s Strandja Memorial Tournament winner and ASBC Asian Youth Champion Tursynbay Kulakhmet knocked down Iran’s Seyed Shahin Mousavi in the first preliminary round in Baku and advanced to the last eight. His second opponent was Uzbekistan’s promising boxer in this weight class Makhmud Gaipov which bout was an early final between the two favourites. Kulakhmet started their contest with strong combinations and demonstrated currently he is better than his younger Uzbek rival.

Light heavyweight (81kg):
Turkmenistan’s Arslanbek Achilov qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games from the World Olympic Qualification Event which was held in Baku one year ago. Turkmenistan’s pride returned to the Azeri capital and spent less than one round in the ring against Ivory Coast’s Adama Kone when the referee confirmed his RSC success. The 24-year-old Turkmen boxer knocked down twice his African opponent in the first two minutes and he is ready to box in the semi-final against Turkey’s Cem Karlidag.