Day 8 of the boxing tournament at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou showcased four thrilling semifinal matches, determining the finalists in the Women’s 50kg and Men’s 92kg weight categories scheduled for October 3. Additionally, ten coveted Olympic quota places were distributed in the Women’s 57 kg, Women’s 60kg, and Men’s 92kg. This tournament serves as a continental qualifier for the Boxing Road to Paris series, granting a total of 34 qualification slots across all 13 boxing categories.
The morning session began with an electrifying Women’s 50kg semifinal between Yesugen OYUNTSETSEG (MGL) and Yu WU (CHN). The home favorite, Yu Wu, dominated all three rounds, securing a unanimous decision victory and earning a well-deserved spot in the Asian Games’ final.
Team India continued to excel as Parveen secured her Olympic quota place by defeating Sitora TURDIBEKOVA (UZB) in the Women’s 57kg quarterfinal match with a flawless 5-0 scoreline. Parveen expressed her satisfaction, stating, “It was all good. I was well-prepared, and I gave it my all, knowing it was a qualification match.”
Parveen is now set to face off against Yu Ting LIN (TPE), who secured both the semifinal spot and a Paris 2024 quota with an impressive 5-0 victory over Thailand’s Porntip BUAPA.
In the Women’s 60kg event, Thananya SOMNUEK of Thailand and Ungyong WON of Democratic People’s Republic of Korea secured their tickets to the upcoming Olympic Games. They outscored Huswatun HASANAH (INA) and Jaismine (IND) respectively, both by referee stoppage in round 2.
In the women’s categories, four quotas are available for all categories except for 66kg and 75kg, for which there will be two tickets available, as the men’s categories.
Natalya BOGDANOVA is now one win away from securing a quota place in the Women’s 66kg division for Kazakhstan at the Olympics after a commanding 5-0 victory in her quarter-final bout over Tsetsegdari MYAGMARSUREN of Mongolia. On October 4, she will face Janjaem SUWANNAPHENG (THA) for the coveted ticket to Paris 2024. SUWANNAPHENG, the 2023 South East Asian Games gold medalist from Thailand, advanced to the semifinals after a dominant performance against Sujin SEON (KOR).
In the Men’s 63.5 kg class, Xiangyang WANG (CHN) had a fierce battle against Chu En LAI (TPE). While the boxer from Chinese Taipei dominated the opening round, WANG made a comeback in the second round, supported by the enthusiastic Hangzhou Gymnasium crowd. In a closely contested third round, LAI landed some decisive punches, securing a 3-2 split decision victory. LAI advanced to the semifinals to meet the talented 20-year-old from Iraq, Ali Qasim Hamdan AL-SARRAY, who secured his spot with a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Askat KULTAEV (KGZ).
Hussein IASHAISH of Jordan faced a tough opponent in his Men’s 80 kg quarterfinal bout, Uzbekistan’s Turabek KHABIBULLAEV. In a thrilling contest filled with exceptional combinations from both fighters, the judges declared the 19-year-old Uzbek as the winner with a 3-2 split decision.
In the following match, the entire Hangzhou Gymnasium erupted in cheers for Tanglatihan TUOHETAERBIEKE, the local athlete competing for a medal on his home turf. His opponent from Uzbekistan, Omurbek BEKZHIGIT UULU, started strongly in the first round, landing heavy jabs to claim the round. However, the Chinese boxer mounted a comeback in the second round, taking control of the match. In the third round, TUOHETAERBIEKE gave his best effort, sealing a 4-1 victory to the delight of the home crowd.
In an eagerly anticipated Men’s 92kg semifinal match, the home hero Xuezhen HAN faced the 22-year-old Sagyndyk TOGAMBAY from Kazakhstan. While the Kazakh boxer won the first round with sensational combinations, HAN executed brilliant counter-attacks in the second and third rounds, sealing a resounding 5-0 victory.
In the evening session, Chuthamat RAKSAT (THA) advanced to the gold medal match by defeating India’s Zareen NIKHAT (IND) in the Women’s 50kg semifinal. RAKSAT’s patient approach earned her a hard-fought 3-2 split decision win, while NIKHAT claimed the bronze medal.
Karina BRAGIMOVA and Mijgona SAMADOVA (TJK) both made it to the semifinals of the Women’s 57kg event and secured Olympic quota places for their countries. They overcame Namuun MONKHOR (MGL) and Satsuki YOSHIZAWA (JPN) respectively.
In the Women’s 60kg quarterfinals, Chinese Taipei earned a second ticket to Paris 2024 as Shihyi WU (TPE) defeated Tokyo 2020 participant Raykhona KODIROVA of Uzbekistan in a closely contested bout with a 3-2 split decision. WU is now set to face People’s Republic of China’s Wenlu YANG, who secured a dominant 5-0 win against Mongolia’s Nomin-Erdene TUGSJARGAL. YANG can be proud of obtaining the coveted quota place for the Olympic Games next year.
Liu YANG (CHN) faced Democratic People’s Republic of Korea’s Hyosun HWANG in their Women’s 66kg quarterfinal match. HWANG secured the judges’ votes in round 1 but ultimately lost to the Chinese in rounds 2 and 3. In her quest to secure a place at Paris 2024, she will meet Nien Chin CHEN (TPE) in the semifinal scheduled for October 4. The boxer from Chinese Taipei advanced in the tournament, securing a victory against Shoira ZULKAYNAROVA after the referee stopped the contest due to injury in round 2.
In a fierce Men’s 63.5 kg ring battle, the 2023 South East Asian Games gold medalist Bunjong SINSIRI (THA) clinched a 3-2 split decision win over Cholman CHOE (PRK). SINSIRI is now set to face a formidable opponent, the 2018 Asian Games silver medalist Chinzorig BAATARSUKH of Mongolia, who secured a commanding 5-0 victory over Yertugan ZEINULLINOV (KAZ).
Advancing in the tournament, Ahmad GHOUSOON from Syria displayed tactical prowess to beat the Tokyo 2020 Olympian Shabbos NEGMATULLOEV (TJK) with a controlled 5-0 win in the first Men’s 80kg class quarterfinal of the evening session. The Syrian boxer set up a tough semifinal against the Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Eumir Felix MARCIAL, who secured a knockout victory over Weerapon JONGJOHO of Thailand.
In the final bout of the day, all eyes were on the Men’s 92kg semifinal match between Jaemin EONG (KOR) and Davlat BOLTAEV (TJK). The boxer representing Tajikistan showcased his skill and determination, earning a unanimous 5-0 decision victory and securing an Olympic quota place for Paris 2024. Jaemin EONG of Korea concluded the Asian Games boxing tournament with a well-deserved bronze medal.
The boxing tournament at the 19th Asian Games will take a day off on October 2, but the action is set to continue on Tuesday, October 3, with the first day of finals. Stay tuned for more thrilling bouts!
Follow the event on boxing.athlete365.org and visit the 19th Asian Games official website for the latest competition information, results, and schedules.
