Ovezov, Oralbay, Sabyrkhan and Villegas were brilliant before the quota bouts in Busto Arsizio
Thirty-four Asian boxers are only one-step away to qualify for the Paris Olympics through the 1st World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event in Busto Arsizio, Italy.
Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam are the 26 participating Asian countries in Busto Arsizio.
Kazakhstan’s Alua Balkybekova moved up to the light flyweight (50kg) and she showed her brilliant technical skills against South Korea’s Jung Joo Hyung as well. Following the first tactical round, Balkybekova was patient and she overcame the South Korean veteran with perfect timing. The South Korean southpaw stepped into Balkybekova’s best fighting range in the third round several times therefore the Kazakh marched to the last eight.
Philippines’ Aira Villegas won her last preparation event before Busto Arsizio and she looked confident against Denmark’s Youth World Championships silver medallist Sofie Rosshaug in the first round. The Filipina light flyweight (50kg) boxer worked from longer distance but she stepped into the best range effectively to lead 20:18 in each of the scorecards after six minutes and she had the power in the third as well to beat the 20-year-old Danish.
Uzbekistan’s Sabina Bobokulova also won her last international tournament the Strandja Memorial and she arrived in Busto Arsizio in top shape. She followed the tactics well in the first round against Ireland’s Daina Moorehouse and the 20-year-old Uzbek had the advantage on the scorecards. The Irish girl had a very similar fighting style and she was a very hard opponent but Bobokulova won the battle of the southpaw boxers by 3:2 today.
Japan’s Rinka Kinoshita moved down to the light flyweight (50kg) and the Asian Champion started well against Argentina’s World bronze medallist Aldana Florencia Lopez. The 23-year-old Japanese had excellent defensive skills and she counter-attacked the Argentinean successfully in the first and second rounds. Kinoshita did not make any huge risks in the third round and she will now meet for the guaranteed quota Sabina Bobokulova tomorrow.
South Korea’s Kim In Kyu, the 2017 World Championships bronze medallist, returned to the national team following his success in their Final Selection Tournament. The 30-year-old Korean used his longer reach against Ghana’s Theophilous Allotey and he had the advantage on the judges’ scorecards after three minutes. Kim’s routine was the difference between them today and he advanced to the quarter-final bout which will be held tomorrow.
Azat Makhmetov switched from Kazakhstan to Bahrain in the recent years and in a unique Round of 16 battle, he faced the Kazakh No.1, 2021 World Champion Saken Bibossynov in Busto Arsizio today. The two Kazakh flyweight (51kg) boxers had similar fighting style and technical skills, both landed several jabs but Bibossynov’s strategy worked better in the second and third rounds as well.
Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Oralbay, the reigning World Champion at the light heavyweight (80kg), had a very difficult contest against a neutral athlete, Aliaksei Alfiorau who claimed a silver in Belgrade two and half years ago. The Kazakh turned up the heat in the second round and due to his excellent finish, he was able to beat one of his main rivals in Italy. Another Central Asian boxer in this weight class, the Youth World Champion Turabek Khabibullayev of Uzbekistan eliminated France’s Yojerlin Cesar and he won the battle of the youngsters.
Netherlands’ Youth World Champion Maud van der Toorn surprised Philippines’ Olympic silver medallist Nesthy Petecio with her effective counter-attacks. The Filipina landed her powerful shots in the second round and she remained her chance alive to win this featherweight (57kg) bout. Petecio’s third was excellent and her routine decided this quarter-final bout which means she is only one bout away to qualify for Paris.
Turkmenistan’s Shukur Ovezov moved down successfully to the featherweight (57kg) and he had the better shots than Philippines’ Olympic silver medallist Carlo Paalam in the first round. The Filipino was not able to continue the contest in the second round and surprisingly Ovezov won their meeting in Busto Arsizio. Kazakhstan’s World Champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan was brilliant in the first and third rounds against Puerto Rico’s Caleb Tirado and he also advanced to the quarter-finals.
Among the light middleweight (71kg) boxers, Kazakhstan’s Aslanbek Shymbergenov had a hard bout against Turkmenistan’s Bayramdurdy Nurmuhammedov but finally he could celebrate a 3:2 victory. India’s Nishant Dev, Uzbekistan’s Asadkhudja Muydinkhudjayev and Jordan’s Zeyad Eshaish all advanced to the quota bouts today.
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