The 19th Asian Games’ boxing tournament commenced today at the Hangzhou Gymnasium in Hangzhou, China, featuring 21 exciting contests on the opening day. Boxers from all across Asia are competing for the coveted opportunity to secure one of the 34 available quota places. These precious spots serve as their ticket to participate in the upcoming Olympic Games scheduled for the following year.
Two talented boxers in the Women’s 50kg weight category kicked off the competition: Yesugen OYUNTSETSEG (MGL) and Aira VILLEGAS (PHI). The first thrilling bout of the day was claimed by the 2022 Asian Games bronze medalist from Mongolia, who secured victory with a score of 3:1.
The Women’s 54kg bouts during the morning session were impressive: Indian and 2022 Asian Championships bronze medallist Preeti (IND) advanced in the brackets, defeating Silina ALHASANAT of Jordan, after the referee stopped the contest during the R3. The Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Hsiao Wen HUANG (TPE), with an impressive display of punching, won by unanimous decision over Mongolia’s Enkhjargal MUNGUNTSETSEG. Right after, home fans had the opportunity to enjoy the boxing skills of China’s Yuan CHANG (CHN). The 2018 Asian Games winner secured a 3-2 split decision win over Jutamas JITPONG (THA).
Thananya SOMNUEK of Thailand lost her Women’s 60kg round-of-32 when the referee stopped the contest in the third round against Tajikistan’s Bibinashastamo KHOLOVA. Vietnam’s Thi Linh HA executed some powerful blows to secure a 5-0 victory over Sangita SUNAR of Nepal.
In the Men’s 63.5kg event, Chinese Taipei’s Chu En LAI and the Philippines’ Mark Ashley FAJARDO (PHI) both quickly sent their opponents to the canvas in R1, with one faster than the other. They respectively secured wins when the referee stopped the contest after 57 seconds and by knockout after 39 seconds of boxing. In the same weight category, the Iraqi boxer Ali Qasim Hamdan AL-SARRAY did not waste his opportunity, striking Korean Jongseung LEE towards the end to earn a 5-0 win in the first round. Mouas Zubayr M ALHAWSAW (KSA) faced a tough loss against Kazakhstan’s Askat KULTAEV (KGZ) who dominated the #10 bout of the day.
The contest between Turabek KHABIBULLAEV (UZB) and Deepak SHRESTHA (NEP) in the 80kg weight category closed the morning session with the Uzbek emerging as a comfortable 5-0 winner.
The evening session opened with one of the most anticipated contests. Nikhat ZAREEN of India and Thi Tam NGUYEN of Vietnam in the Women’s 50kg division displayed great boxing. The Indian secured maximum points, winning her bout 5-0. The following match in the Women’s 54kg event impressed the audience at the Hangzhou Gymnasium: Cholmi PANG (PRK) at the end of three sensational rounds secured a unanimous decision victory over Aeji IM (KOR). With the same score, the Vietnamese Thi Ngoc Tran NGUYEN and the Uzbek Nigina UKTAMOVA emerged triumphant after defeating respectively Nigora OLIMOVA (UZB) and Irish MAGNO (PHI). The 2022 Asian Championships gold medalist Rinka KINOSHITA (JPN) also made her mark, securing a 5:0 decision win over Minu GURUNG of Nepal.
Cholman CHOE (PRK) edged Japan’s Yuta AKIYAMA 4:1 in a notable 63.5kg round-of-32 with a big crowd in the arena cheering for him. In the same weight category, Bunjong SINSIRI of Thailand was a convincing winner, overcoming Ali HABIBINEZHAD (IRI) by unanimous decision. Right after, Yertugan ZEINULLINOV from Kazakhstan claimed a win with the same scoring over Obada ALKASBEH (JOR) from Jordan in another thrilling Men’s 63.5 kg bout. Closing the bouts of the day in this division, Chinzorig BAATARSUKH of Mongolia secured a 4-1 split decision win against Hursand IMANKULIYEV (TKM).
The last contest of the day saw the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games bronze medalist Eumir Felix MARCIAL (PHI) delivering an impressive performance, defeating Dala GANZORIG from Mongolia in the Men’s 80kg category.
Competition is set to continue tomorrow at the Hangzhou Gymnasium with 24 more bouts to be contested.
For updated competition information, results, schedules, and additional content, please visit the official website of the 19th Asian Games.
