Fazylov, Livaza, Anarbayev and Konsbekov made the show in the men’s U22 finals

Fazylov, Livaza, Anarbayev and Konsbekov had the best performances in the men’s U22 finals at the ASBC Asian U22 & Youth Boxing Championships in Colombo, Sri Lanka today.

Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, Cambodia, French Polynesia, IBA-India, Indonesia, Iraq, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Kuwait, Malaysia, Mongolia, Nepal, New Zealand, IBA-Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Sri Lanka, Tajikistan, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam were the 23 participating nations in this championship.

Uzbekistan’s Bekhruz Kholdorov joined the U22 age group this January but he started the year with strong results in the international stage as well. The Uzbek teenager and Kazakhstan’s Tileuberdi Suleimeni had very similar technical and physical skills therefore the first round was very tight between them. The Kazakh was punctual in the exchanges and he defeated the favourite of the smallest male weight class in Colombo.

Tajikistan’s CIS Junior Games winner Meroj Sufijonov eliminated Sri Lanka’s No.1, the ASBC Asian Elite bronze medallist Umayanga Mihiran in the semi-finals of the flyweight (51kg) and he met Kazakhstan’s Dias Berikbay for the title. The Tajik southpaw started the first round well enough but Berikbay returned to the contest in time to win this bout making a small surprise.

IBA-Pakistan’s first ever U22 finalist, Umar Raza Khan used his long-distance strategy against Tajikistan’s 19-year-old Anushervon Fazylov but his opponent reduced the fighting distance successfully to win the bantamweight (54kg) final. Kazakhstan’s Zhasurbek Anorbayev was a new addition to their U22 national squad but he had the strength to beat Thailand’s Phanuwat Choojan-At at the featherweight (57kg).

Kazakhstan’s Nurislam Kaldybayev and Tajikistan’s Damir Muybalikhonov advanced to the finals of the men’s lightweight (60kg) in Colombo. The 19-year-old Tajik surprised the tough Kazakh in the first round with his speed and high number of punches therefore Muybalikhonov had the advantage on the scorecards. The Tajik opened the third round with a punctual right-handed jab but Kaldybayev’s pressure was enough to win the tight bout.

Kyrgyzstan’s Asian Youth Championships silver medallist Omar Livaza had a Kazakh final opponent, Seraly Zholmaganbet at the light welterweight (63.5kg). The 21-year-old Kyrgyz had better technical skills than his neighbouring opponent and he landed multiple punches from various ranges. Livaza worked in the same level of boxing until the last gong and he claimed Kyrgyzstan’s first U22 gold medal in Colombo.

Kyrgyzstan’s next finalist, the ASBC Asian Youth Champion Almaz Orozbekov had a very difficult opponent from Kazakhstan, Bakhtiyar Anarbayev who was born also in 2005. The Kazakh welterweight (67kg) boxer was slightly better than Orozbekov and he bagged his nation’s next title in Sri Lanka’s capital. Kyrgyzstan’s Eldar Turdubayev and Kazakhstan’s Agazhan Kadyr both are heavy bombers and after the last bell, the letter’s hand was raised.

Sri Lanka’s Yazmin Mohommed Usaith is member of their elite national pool and the 21-year-old middleweight (75kg) boxer managed his pathway to the finals. Usaith had a hard job against Kazakhstan’s Aman Konsbekov who landed the stronger punches in their final bout and he defeated the local youngster.

Kyrgyzstan’s ASBC Asian bronze medallist Sagyn Satybaldy Uulu and Kazakhstan’s Bakbergen Aliaskarov were the finalists at the light heavyweight (80kg) in Colombo. The Kyrgyz boxer returned with smart strategy in the beginning of the second round but he lost the final three minutes to Aliaskarov. Kazakhstan’s next gold medal was achieved by Ibragim Betaev who was too experienced for Kyrgyzstan’s 19-year-old Azim Choibekov at the cruiserweight (86kg).

Kazakhstan’s Azatbek Zholdaskhan knocked out his semi-final opponent and the heavyweight (92kg) boxer wanted to repeat that against Afghanistan’s Mujtaba Sharifi. Zholdaskhan reached the Afghan boxer several times with jabs and hooks but Sharifi was able to stand until the last bell. Kyrgyzstan’s Myrzakir Koshaliyev is only 19-year-old but he had the fighting spirit, the strength and the stamina to beat Kazakhstan’s Yersultan Sapar in the final of the super heavyweight (+92kg).

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