Denys Latypov is the first boxer from Bahrain who advanced to the final of the Strandja Memorial Tournament
The semi-finals were held in the Strandja Memorial Tournament which is one of the strongest elite competitions in the whole world. Following India’s three bronze medals, Bahrain has written history in the day of the semi-finals. Denys Latypov eliminated a top French opponent and made Bahrain proud after his amazing success on Day4.
The 71st edition of the Strandja Memorial Tournament is a small world event with 34 nations on the board from four different Confederations. Among the best boxing nations of the world Russia, United States of America, India, Ireland, Brazil, Bulgaria, Germany, Italy, France, Ukraine, Morocco, Romania, Poland and many others are there in Sofia.
India’s Sonia Lather Singh claimed silver medal in the Astana 2016 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and she was one of the most experienced boxers at the featherweight (57kg) in Sofia. The Indian eliminated Ireland’s two-time Commonwealth Games silver medallist Michaela Walsh in the quarter-finals which was a tough battle between them. Lather met in the semi-finals with Ukraine’s veteran Iulia Tsyplakova who moved down to this weight class. The Ukrainian boxer landed more shots in the second round and her Indian opponent worked more from longer reach. Sonia Lather Singh turned up the heat in the third once again but the final verdict was split decision in the favour of the Ukrainian therefore the Indian claimed bronze in Sofia.
India’s strong Mohamed Hussamuddin claimed silver medal already at the 2017 edition of the Strandja Memorial Tournament which was one of his first ever international competitions. The 26-year-old bantamweight (57kg) boxer returned to Sofia and following his successful preliminaries, he defeated Belgium’s Vasile Usturoi in the quarter-finals. Hussamuddin’s eyes were cut in that bout and he was unable to box in the last four which meant he also claimed bronze medal in the Strandja Memorial Tournament.
India’s AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist and Amman 2013 ASBC Asian Champion Shiva Thapa is also attending at the Strandja Memorial Tournament. He is a two-time Olympian boxer and one of the most experienced athletes at the lightweight (63kg). The 26-year-old Indian eliminated Ireland’s George Bates in the quarter-finals but he suffered a loss in the semi-finals to Georgia’s EUBC European U22 Champion Lasha Guruli who was too tall for Thapa.
Denys Latypov is Bahrain’s best boxer who attends at the super heavyweight (+91kg) since he changed his nationality. The former Russian WSB boxer advanced to the semi-finals of the Strandja Memorial Tournament where he had to meet with France’s Minsk 2019 European Games silver medallist Mourad Aliev. Latypov landed nice hooks in the first round against his taller European opponent and he tried to follow the strategy of the coaches. Latypov was impressive in the last round and he deserved to win that difficult semi-final but he became the first finalist in a top international tournament from Bahrain.
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