Ermek Sakenov wins the Best Boxer Trophy in the Kyrgyzstan National Championships

The 25th edition of the Kyrgyzstan National Elite Boxing Championships delivered several surprises in the finals but some of their veterans also shined in the four-day long competition. Their capital city Bishkek hosted the event where three women and ten men champions have been crowned. Their ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships bronze medallist Ermek Sakenov was awarded the Best Boxer Trophy after the finals.
The first gold medal of the whole event was achieved by Shakhriza Khalilova who competed in the 2010 ASBC Asian Confederation Women’s Boxing Championships in Astana and won a few titles after that continental event. In the recent years she had a break in her career but she was able to return with a title in Bishkek following her great performance against Eliza Tashbayeva in the final of the featherweight (57kg).
Farida Pupova is only 19 but after her medals she was able to get a title in the National Championships following her triumph over defending champion Alina Mamasydyk Kyzy at the Olympic lightweight (60kg). The third women’s gold medal was achieved by young Altynai Talantbek Kyzy who controlled her final against Naargul Emilbek Kyzy in the light welterweight (64kg).
Bishkek’s two top boxers such as Rakhmankul Avatov and Mirlan Turkbay Uulu advanced to the final of the light flyweight (49kg) in the championships. Avatov won the titles two-times and he was the favourite but Sportaccord World Combat Games bronze medallist Turkbay Uulu was able to beat him by split decision this time.
In the absence of ASBC Asian Champion Azat Usenaliev, who had an illness during the championships, Chui region’s top boxers such as two-time National Champion 22-year-old Zhanybek Musayev and Incheon 2014 Asian Games bronze medallist Turat Osmonov advanced to the final of the flyweight (52kg). Osmonov, who moved up to the weight class only in the recent months, controlled his final and secured his next national title.
Dzhalal-Abad’s Sirodjiddin Abdullaev amazed the international boxing world in the recent months with his triumphs in the international events and had to meet for the gold medal of the bantamweight (56kg) with WSB boxer Mirbek Sherov who defeated Kanat Abduvakhab Uulu in the semi-final. Umakhanov Memorial Tournament winner Abdullaev did not find the best fighting distance in their top level final and Sherov was able to win his first ever national title in Bishkek.
Chui region’s ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships bronze medallist Omurbek Malabekov moved up to the lightweight (60kg) and delivered strong performance with several TKO successes. The 25-year-old strong boxer met in the final with Argen Kadyrbek Uulu who eliminated FISU World University Boxing Championships bronze medallist Temirlan Osmonov in the semi-final. Malabekov won each of the rounds in their unequal final and claimed his next national title in his new weight class.
Dzhalal-Abad’s 20-year-old Abdurakhman Abdurakhmanov was too strong for Samat Zhusupov in the semi-final of the light welterweight (64kg) and met with Bishkek’s National Championships silver medallist Daniyar Damirdin Uulu for the gold medal. Both have been fighting for their first ever national title in Bishkek and finally Damirdin Uulu was able to win the weight class following his narrow victory.
Chui region’s ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships bronze medallist and AIBA World Boxing Championships quarter-finalist Ermek Sakenov moved up to the welterweight (69kg) in the recent months and defeated talented Adilet Batyraliev in the semi-final and met with Esen Rakhmatov for the gold. The 29-year-old Sakenov dominated his final fight and won his first gold in his new category and received also the Best Boxer Trophy.
Issyk-Kul’s national team member Azamat Kanybek Uulu, who represented Kyrgyzstan in the middleweight (75kg) since 2013, eliminated one of his main rival Ilyas Akmataliyev in the semi-final but he could not get his next title in the capital city. His final opponent was Bishkek’s Youth National Champion promising hope 20-year-old Yktyiar Shabdanbayev who was too strong for him this time.
Rio 2016 Olympian and Kyrgyzstan’s flag bearer in the Opening Ceremony of the Games Erkin Adylbek Uulu stopped Beksultan Arstanbekov in the semi-finals and did the same performance against Bektur Alymbek Uulu in the final of the light heavyweight (81kg). The 25-year-old AIBA Asian & Oceanian Olympic Qualification Event bronze medallist tall boxer won all of his contests by TKO in the National Championships.
Bishkek’s ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships bronze medallist Sergei Parenko defeated all of his three rivals at the heavyweight (91kg) and regained his throne after four years. The 27-year-old experienced international level boxer eliminated Altynbek Bekturov in the semi-final and had a close but successful final fight against 20-year-old Zhakshylyk Kuzaliyev in Bishkek.
Batken’s Ruslan Dervishov stopped Maruf Khusainov Memorial Tournament winner Altynbek Abdudzhalil Uulu in the semi-final and met with Naryn’s Stalbek Karasartov for the gold medal of the super heavyweight (+91kg). Karasartov, who eliminated former Youth National Champion Aman Nazaraliyev in the last four, had better punches in the final as well and defeated his veteran rival in the last gold medal bout.

Winners in the Kyrgyzstan National Championships
Women’s 57kg: Shakhriza Khalilova, 1992
Women’s 60kg: Farida Pupova, 1997
Women’s 64kg: Altynai Talantbek Kyzy, 1995
Men’s 49kg: Mirlan Turkbay Uulu, 1990
Men’s 52kg: Turat Osmonov, 1993
Men’s 56kg: Mirbek Sherov, 1992
Men’s 60kg: Omurbek Malabekov, 1991
Men’s 64kg: Daniyar Damirdin Uulu, 1994
Men’s 69kg: Ermek Sakenov, 1987
Men’s 75kg: Yktyiar Shabdanbayev, 1996
Men’s 81kg: Erkin Adylbek Uulu, 1991
Men’s 91kg: Sergei Parenko, 1989
Men’s +91kg: Stalbek Karasartov, 1982