Highlights of the ASBC National Federations – Qatar earned two places for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games and claimed a historical bronze at the 2006 Asian Games

The Asian Boxing Confederation introduces the best moments of its affiliated Asian National Federations launching a new PR campaign, the Highlights of the ASBC National Federations. Qatar reached his first highlight in our sport in 2000 which followed a medal at the Doha 2006 Asian Games but their biggest success is the two outstanding quota places for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.

Qatar competed only one time in the Olympic Games but their boxers reached that top result in the last Rio de Janeiro 2016 edition and before its qualification events. Qatar competed at the qualification events for the Olympic Games at the very first time in 2004 and only a few editions later two of their boxers succeeded and attended in Rio de Janeiro. Qatar entered these two boxers to the Olympic boxing event, signifying the nation’s debut in the sport.

Hakan Erseker qualified for the Rio 2016 Olympic Games through the World Qualifying Tournament at the lightweight (60kg). He lost to Uzbekistan’s star two-time Olympian Khurshid Tajibayev in the first preliminary round of the Games. His fellow Thulasi Tharumalingam qualified from the APB and WSB Olympic Qualifier from Venezuela and lost his bout in Rio de Janeiro from an experienced Asian Games silver medallist Mongolian, Chinzorig Baatarsukh at the light welterweight (64kg).

Qatar has done its debut in the international stage of boxing at the Budapest 2000 AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships following the sport and the National Federation was established in the country. Qatar’s Yamen Mohamed Mashar won his first preliminary contest in that AIBA Junior World Boxing Championships while Tariq Gholam (51kg) and Mohamed Noor Nawaf (67kg) lost their opening bouts against Russian opponents.

Qatar’s capital Doha hosted the 2006 edition of the Asian Games and competed successfully also in the boxing event. Former Syrian boxer Hzam Nabah represented Qatar in the Doha 2006 Asian Games and he exceeded all of the previous expectations with his bronze medal at the light heavyweight (81kg) making history for the country. Doha hosted the 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships for the elite male boxers and the event was opened with a fantastic show in Qatar. Six of their boxers attended in the AIBA World Boxing Championships on home soil and among them Hakan Erseker reached the quarter-finals of the competition five and half years ago. The 2015 AIBA World Boxing Championships supported the development of the sport in Qatar and increased the popularity of the martial arts.

Don’t forget you can keep up with all of the action, news, results and photos by following ASBC on Facebook and Instagram.
ASBC website: www.asbcnews.org
ASBC Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/ASBC.Boxing/
ASBC Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/asbc_official/
ASBC Twitter page: https://www.twitter.com/BoxingAsian?s=08