Four Asian triumphs in the opening day of the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships

The first competition day in the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships was held today in St. Petersburg. Seven Asian boxers were in action and among them four won their contests in the first session of the championships.
Altogether 90 Asian boxers from 16 countries are taking part in the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in St. Petersburg. Afghanistan, China, Chinese Taipei, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Nepal, Philippines, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, Thailand and Uzbekistan have sent teams to the new edition of the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships from our continent.

Light Flyweight class (49kg):
South Korea’s Baek Seong Chan competed in the last edition of the ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships in Pavlodar and faced with Mexico’s AMBC American Confederation Youth Champion Gustavo Antonio Perez in the first preliminary round in the last 64. The South Korean boxer felt the rhythm only in the second round which was not enough against the attacking Mexican talent to win his bout in St. Petersburg.

Bantamweight class (56kg):
Afghanistan’s Aqluddin Nezami won their Youth National Championships last month and the Kabul-based boxer tried to do his very best in his debuting match in the international level against Algeria’s Adel Tabi. The 18-year-old Afghan boxer caught his North African rival in the first round a few times and tried to be quicker in the bout. Nezami surprised his Algerian rival and advanced to the next preliminary round in St. Petersburg.
Japan’s ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships bronze medallist Taiga Imanaga had to do his debut in St. Petersburg against such a strong rival as Ukraine’s Oleksandr Zheleznyak who joined to their national team this year but had more experiences than his Asian rival. Imanaga, who returned to St. Petersburg after the 2015 AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships, tried to control the first round against his European opponent. The Japanese southpaw used his longer hands but his Ukrainian rival was enough fit in the final round to win their contest in St. Petersburg.
China’s ASBC Asian Confederation Youth Boxing Championships quarter-finalist Zeng Jianming tried to use his quick attacks to win his opening bout in St. Petersburg against Moldova’s Ion Carajia. The Chinese boxer was reduced the fighting range very quickly and found the best tactic against his taller Moldovan rival. Zeng, who dominated the first two rounds, won the bout by unanimous decision and also secured his place in the last 32.
Thailand’s ASBC Asian Confederation Junior Boxing Championships bronze medallist Pluem Wanglaklang arrived to St. Petersburg once again after his first appearance as junior in 2015. The 17-year-old Thai boxer, who trains in Nakhon Ratchasima, had to meet with Croatia’s newcomer in the youth national team Marko Krizanovic who replaced Ivan Prskalo in the squad. The Thai southpaw was aggressive in the opening round against his taller rival and moved close to his best fighting range. The young Thai talent won the bout by unanimous decision due his great attacks and also advanced to the next round as third Asian today.

Super Heavyweight class (+91kg):
Kazakhstan’s Youth National Champion Ayboldy Daurenuly trained hard enough to secure his place in the national squad. The 198cm tall Aktau-based boxer started his campaign against Turkey’s Onder Nuri Malkoc who joined to their youth national team in the final minutes. Daurenuly launched more punches than his defensive Turkish opponent and after his great right-handed jab the referee counted Malkoc. Kazakhstan’s 18-year-old talent was in different level than his Turkish opponent and won the bout by TKO.
Uzbekistan’s Alisher Dustov, who replaced Abdulla Khudorganov in the squad, claimed several medals in the recent editions of their national events and finally he received the right to box for his strong country in St. Petersburg. The 18-year-old Bukhara-based boxer had to meet with Australia’s four-time National Champion Justis Huni in the first preliminary round. The Uzbek boxer did not box well only in the first round therefore his Australian rival’s hand was raised after the final bell.