Five Asian finalists in the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia

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Photo Source: Maria Galabova

Four women and eight men Asian boxers were in action in the semi-finals of the Strandja Memorial Tournament and five of them were able to win their contests in the fifth competition day in Sofia. Three Chinese, one Indian and one Kazakh boxer advanced to the final of the Strandja Memorial Tournament on Day5.
Among the participating nations China, Chinese Taipei, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore and Thailand represent the Asian continent. Among the Asian nations Singapore is competing in the Strandja Memorial Tournament at the very first time in the history of the event. The top countries of the world such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, United States of America and England all sent their best boxers to the Strandja Memorial Tournament.
China’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games silver medallist Yin Junhua dominated her opening bout against Netherlands’ newcomer Gina Hofman at the lightweight (60kg) and she was able to continue her winning path against England’s AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships silver medallist Sandy Ryan in the quarter-final. He draw was extremely strong also in the semi-final as she had to meet with United States’ Rio 2016 Olympian Mikaela Mayer but Yin was able to use her long distance punches and won the difficult battle.
China’s second woman finalist in the Strandja Memorial Tournament is Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist Li Qian who eliminated United States’ new National Champion Oshae Jones in the quarter-final and continued her winning path against Chinese Taipei’s Rio 2016 Olympian Chen Nien Chin. Li had height advantage and she was able to box from longer distance to win her key semi-final in Sofia.
China’s third final place was delivered by Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist and Doha 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Hu Jianguan who defeated Thailand’s ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships bronze medallist Tanes Ongjunta in the semi-final of the men’s flyweight (52kg). The 23-year-old Chinese boxer had quick actions and combinations in the whole bout and advanced to the final where his last opponent will be Bulgaria’s Daniel Asenov.
India’s new bantamweight (56kg) National Champion Mohamed Hussamuddin exceeded the expectations in the Strandja Memorial Tournament where his current skills were enough to advance to the final of the event. The Indian boxer met in the semi-final with Bulgaria’s Stefan Ivanov and shocked the local favourite in Sofia with his effective punches. The final verdict was 3:2 in the favour of the Indian boxer on Day5.
Kazakhstan’s former ASBC Asian Youth Champion Tursynbai Kulakhmet moved back to the middleweight (75kg) in the recent one year and also won a place in the final in Sofia where his rival was Ukraine’s WSB boxer Valeriy Kharlamov. Kulakhmet outpointed his Ukrainian rival and his efforts were enough to win his semi-final in Sofia. The Kazakh talent will now meet for the gold medal with Bulgaria’s veteran Arman Hakobyan.