Qais Alizada is Afghanistan’s first Asian finalist since 1995

Afghanistan can prepare to their first Asian finals since the 1995 edition when Muhammad Aman advanced to the title bouts.

Kazakhstan’s Yelnur Suyunbay met a two-years-younger top Uzbek opponent, Shavkatjon Boltayev in the semi-finals of the welterweight (67kg). The Youth silver medallist Kazakh used his long hands to stop the Uzbek attacks and he did not make any serious risks in the first round. His stopping jabs and single shots were the key solutions for him to beat the strong Uzbek opponent in one of the top bouts of the session.

India’s 19-year-old Malik Preet was bronze medallist in the 2023 ASBC Asian Youth Boxing Championships and he returned to the Kazakh capital as an U22 boxer. He expected a hard battle against Kyrgyzstan’s Asian Youth Champion Almaz Orozbekov but he knew how to handle his rival in the first tactical round. Preet has one strong weapon, his left-handed jab and he was punctual with that in the first round but Orozbekov’s stamina almost turned back their close welterweight (67kg) semi-final.

Kazakhstan’s Youth World Champion Sabyrzhan Akkalykov was outstanding in the quarter-finals of the light middleweight (71kg) and he repeated that in the first round against India’s Ankush. The 21-year-old Kazakh opened the second round with heavy shots and he had the clear dominance in the middle part of their semi-final. Akkalykov was different level today and he marched to the final of this strong weight class with another great performance.

Tajikistan’s Dovud Makhkamov and Thailand’s Rattapol Kadamduan both eliminated good rivals in the quarter-finals of the light middleweight (71kg) but they have different styles. The taller Thai was patient and he landed his shots with perfect timing while the 21-year-old Tajik tried to use his stronger shots. Kadamduan had the strong defensive skills but Makhkamov’s strength decided their semi-final bout which guaranteed Tajikistan’s first U22 final spot.

Uzbekistan’s Javokhir Ummataliyev, the Youth World Champion, knocked down his Iranian opponent, Mohammad Mahshari in the first round and he had all of the advantages in this middleweight (75kg) semi-final. The 19-year-old Uzbek used his bout for a warm-up before the finals where he will meet Kazakhstan’s Dias Molzhigitov, an older opponent.

Afghanistan’s Qais Alizada maintained the best fighting range in the first minute and one of his quick hooks were almost finished his semi-final against India’s Dhruv Singh. The more experienced Indian was on the floor but he survived his dangerous moments and he could continue the contest. Alizada amazed once again in the third round and his extraordinary performance delivered for him a place in the finals and he is the first Afghan for an Asian title since 1995.

Uzbekistan’s Samandar Djalolov made his debut at the cruiserweight (86kg) in a huge event in Astana but he had a tough opponent in the last four, India’s Jugnoo. The Uzbek had the better shots in the first and second rounds therefore Djalolov managed to go through to the finals. His last opponent will be Kazakhstan’s super strong Temirlan Mukatayev, a two-time Asian Youth Champion and an Elite National Champion boxer.

Uzbekistan’s Diyorbek Uralov was born in a boxing family and he received the right for the first time to compete in a major championship. The tall Uzbek southpaw had tactical difficulties in the first round against China’s Ashan Rezibieke who progressed since the last edition of the ASBC Asian U22 Boxing Championships. The Chinese heavyweight (92kg) boxer advanced to the final where he will now meet Kazakhstan’s Beknur Batyrbek.

The Youth World Champion Jakhongir Zokirov, the star of the super heavyweight (+92kg), needed less than one round to beat Iran’s Reza Khalilzadeh in the first semi-final. The referee counted the tired Iranian twice in the first round and he confirmed the RSC victory of the 20-year-old defending champion. The Uzbek No.1 will be boxing for the title of the king weight class with Kazakhstan’s Amanat Sabyrgali who eliminated Jordan’s Razi Alhyasat.

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