DAY 2 OF ASIAN GAMES: THRILLING BOUTS AND DOMINANT PERFORMANCES

25/09/2023

On the second day of the boxing tournament at the Asian Games, 24 bouts took place during the two sessions of the day.

Morning Session

The day kicked off with Natalya BOGDANOVA of Kazakhstan that eased past Ragad Ibrahim ALNAIMI of Saudi Arabia in their 66kg weigh division bout. The referee stopped the contest in Round 1 0:07

In the same weight category, Janjaem SUWANNAPHENG (THA), the gold medalist at the 2023 South East Asian Games, faced a formidable opponent but managed to advance to the next round by defeating Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor KHAMIDOVA with a convincing 5-0 victory.

In the Men’s 51kg class, Dayanch ANNASEYIDOV from Turkmenistan had to concede victory to Abdulaziz Khalid ALATBI from Saudi Arabia as the judges declared him the winner via a split decision of 4-1.

Impressive combinations in the ring secured a second-round victory for Chonryong SO (PRK) against Bahrain’s Azat MAKHMETOV, with SO winning the bout 4-0. Meanwhile, Nepal’s Rabin THAPA advanced in the brackets after defeating Dio KOEBANU (INA).

Po Wei TU of Chinese Taipei defeated Mansour KHALEFAH of Kuwait as the referee had to stop the match in Round 3. He is now set to face Thailand’s Thitisan PANMOT, who overwhelmed Aaron Jude BADO before the referee stopped the contest at 16 seconds into Round 2.

Amidst the cheers of the Hangzhou Gymnasium audience, the home hero Jiamao ZHANG (CHN) took the spotlight, dominating his bout. ZHANG launched heavy blows that sent his opponent, Mehron SHAFIEV (TJK), to the canvas in Round 1, securing a decisive victory.

In the men’s 71kg category, an impressive bout unfolded between Chia Wei KAN (TPE) and Nuradin RUSTAMBEK (KGZ). KAN went on the offensive, landing powerful punches and securing a 4-1 victory. In the following contest, Dovud MAKHKAMOV from Turkmenistan ran out a comfortable 5-0 winner over Bayramdurdy NURMUHAMMEDOV (TKM).

The morning session concluded with a match between Tuguldur BYAMBATSOGT (MGL) and Mohammad Khaibar NOORISTANI (AFG). The Mongolian athlete secured victory as the referee stopped the contest in Round 3 due to the injury of his opponent.

Evening Session

In the Women’s 66 kg division during the evening session, the Korean Sujin SEON sealed a unanimous decision victory over Japan’s Mai KITO, the 2022 Asian Championships silver medalist. In the following bout, the People’s Republic of China Liu YANG made its home fans proud with an amazing performance and won by unanimous decision over India’s Arundhati CHOUDHARY. Chinese Taipei’s Nien Chin CHEN also guaranteed herself a spot in the quarterfinals after the referee stopped the contest in Round 1 after just 1 minute and 28 seconds of boxing against Nepal’s Binita THAPA MAGAR.

Deepak of India was a convincing winner in the round-of-32 phase of the men’s 51 kg, overcoming Muhammad Abdul Qaiyum Bin ARIFFIN (MAS) of Malaysia with a resounding 5-0 victory. In the same weight class, Nurzhigit DIUSHEBAEV (KGZ) sealed a unanimous decision win over Huthaifa ESHISH of Jordan, setting up a meeting with Abdul Jabar POPALZAI (AFG) in the next round. The Afghan athlete, thanks to a patient approach, clinched a narrow 3-2 split decision victory over Tenzin DRUGYEL of Bhutan.

The Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Saken BIBOSSINOV (KAZ) did not disappoint expectations, winning his match against Unubold ORKHONTUNGALAG (MGL) via a unanimous decision.

Looking ahead to Thursday, September 28, there’s an exciting bout on the horizon as the Olympian Saken BIBOSSINOV will meet the Rio 2016 gold medalist Hasanboy DUSMATOV (UZB), who left no chances for his opponent from Korea, Sehyeong JO.

Vanesy HEUANGTHISOUAN (LAO) had a forgettable day as the boxing tournament concluded with a knockout in Round 2 inflicted by Sultan ALNUAIMI of the United Arab Emirates.

In the Men’s 71kg division, the match between Zeyad EASHASH (JOR) and Husain ALKANDARI (UAE) lasted only 1 minute and 2 seconds as the Jordanian boxer delivered a powerful punch to outclass his rival, prompting the referee to stop the contest in Round 1. In the same weight class, Nishant Dev (IND) produced a tactically sound performance to beat the boxer from Nepal, Dipesh LAMA, with a controlled 5-0 win.

Bout #44 of the day was a pure display of speed, confidence, and power: LEE Sangmin (CHN) on home turf managed a unanimous decision victory over the Korean WANG Peicheng (KOR).

In the last contest of the day, Asadkhuja MUYDINKHUJAEV (UZB) executed some powerful blows to secure a 5-0 victory over Jangthae RYANG (PRK).

The action at the Hangzhou Gymnasium in Hangzhou (CHN) continues tomorrow, September 26, with two sessions of wonderful boxing, at 14:00 and 19:00 (Hangzhou local time).

Stay updated with the latest competition information, results, and schedules by visiting the official website of the 19th Asian Games.

ASIAN GAMES: FIRST DAY OF BOXING COMPETITION

24/09/2023

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.

OFFICIAL DRAW: 237 ATHLETES FROM 38 NOCs ON THE RING AT THE ASIAN GAMES

22/09/2023

The Technical Meeting and the Official Draw for the Asian Games took place today, September 22, at the Hangzhou Gymnasium in Hangzhou (CHN).

The boxing tournament is scheduled to start on Sunday, September 24, and will run until October 5. A total of 237 boxers from 38 National Olympic Committees will compete in 13 weight categories, vying for one of the coveted 34 Paris 2024 qualification quota places that will be awarded during the 19th Asian Games. The stage will be the Hangzhou Gymnasium, where bouts will be contested in two daily sessions at 14:00 and 19:00, with a day off on October 2.

The Official Draw followed the Technical Meeting, presented by the Secretary General of HACOG Mr. Jin Chenglong, the Director of Operations Team of Hangzhou Gymnasium Mr. Wang Li, the Venue Executive Deputy General Manager Mr. Shen Zhigang, the Asian Games Boxing Competition Manager Mr. Jiao Subin, the Venue Doping Control Manager Mr. Leng Shijun, and the competition’s Technical Delegate, Mr. Angel Villarreal.

This event marks the third leg of the Boxing Road to Paris qualification series, which includes five continental tournaments and two world qualifiers. The journey began at the European Games in Krakow-Malopolska last June. Following the Asian Games, the attention will turn to the Pan American Games and then to the Pacific Games later this year. Looking ahed to 2024, the pathway will culminate in two World Qualifiers to be held in Busto Arsizio (Italy) and Bangkok (Thailand) in March and May respectively.

Stay tuned for the latest updates and insights that will be posted online on the Athlete 365 Boxing Corner website at boxing.athlete365.org

More information on the Asian Games official website.

Find the event schedule here.

ASIAN GAMES: BOXING OLYMPIC QUALIFICATION TOURNAMENT SET TO BEGIN IN HANGZHOU

22/09/2023

Hangzhou (CHN) is all set to host the third leg of the boxing qualification pathway to Paris 2024. As part of the 19th Asian Games, the boxing tournament will determine which boxers from the Asian continent will qualify to compete in the upcoming Olympic Games.

A total of 237 athletes from 38 countries will showcase their skills at the Hangzhou Gymnasium, a magnificent arena known for hosting indoor sporting events such as basketball and volleyball. From September 24th to October 5th, the venue will be the stage for the boxing tournament, featuring athletes competing in 13 weight categories, each vying for one of the 34 Olympic quota places available at the Asian Games (20 for women and 14 for men).

Several outstanding boxers are ready to make their mark on the tournament. Let’s take a closer look at some of the athletes to watch:

India’s 13-member team will be led by two-time Olympian Shiva THAPA and world champions Nikhat ZAREEN and Lovlina BORGOHAIN. THAPA became the first male boxer to win six Asian Championships medals when he secured silver in 2022. Competing in the 50kg category, Nikhat ZAREEN, with her exceptional skills, won the gold medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Tokyo 2020 Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina BORGOHAIN will make her Asian Games debut in the women’s middleweight category (75kg).

Additionally, Tokyo silver medalists Carlo PAALAM and Nesthy PETECIO of the Philippines will compete in the men’s 51kg and women’s 57kg weight categories, respectively. They are considered favorites in their divisions, along with bronze medalist Eumir MARCIAL (men’s 75kg).

Thi Tam NGUYEN (VIE), an Olympian and the 2017 and 2022 Asian champion, will lead the Vietnam team, which brings its largest-ever boxing delegation to Hangzhou, with nine competitors. He will be among the favorites in the light flyweight category.

Leading Kazakhstan is Kamshybek KUNKABAYEV, who won a bronze medal in the men’s +91kg category at the Tokyo Olympics. Meanwhile, Uzbekistan is preparing to showcase two Olympic gold medalists, Bakhodir JALOLOV in the men’s +91kg category, and Hasanboy DUSMATOV in the men’s 49 kg category. The latter, a Rio 2016 champion and three-time Asian Championships gold medallist, will be seeking his first Asian Games light flyweight gold.

Stay updated on the boxing tournament at the Asian Games by visiting https://boxing.athlete365.org/.

Find additional information on the event on the 19th Asian Games official website.

Boxing Road to Paris: Host Cities and Dates of 2024 World Qualifiers Unveiled

25/08/2023

The Paris 2024 Boxing Unit (PBU) has officially announced the host cities and the dates for the two World Qualification Tournaments, where boxers from around the globe will compete for a spot at the Olympic Games Paris 2024.

The first world qualification tournament will take place in Busto Arsizio, Italy – from 29 February to 12 March, 2024. The event will allocate 49 quota places (21 Women and 28 Men).

The second world qualification tournament will be held in Bangkok, Thailand – from 23 May to 3 June, 2024. By the end of the tournament, the remaining 51 quotas places will be awarded and the boxing qualification period for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will be finalized.

The two World Qualification Tournaments ensure that each National Olympic Committee (NOC) will have up to three qualification opportunities on their Boxing Road to Paris.

As per the Paris 2024 Qualification System for Boxing, NOCs will only be able to enter athletes at the World Qualification Tournaments in the specific weight categories where they have not yet been allocated and confirmed a quota place.

For more details regarding the Boxing Road to Paris qualification pathway, please refer to the Qualification System (link).

IOC Executive Board recommends to IOC Session to withdraw recognition of International Boxing Association

08/06/2023

The Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today recommended to the IOC Session to withdraw recognition of the International Boxing Association (IBA), in accordance with Rule 3.7 of the Olympic Charter (OC).

Find the full news on the International Olympic Committee (IOC) website, here https://olympics.com/ioc/news/ioc-executive-board-recommends-to-ioc-session-to-withdraw-recognition-of-international-boxing-association

Paris 2024 boxing qualification system to achieve a fair process for all NOCs

06/12/2022

The delivery model for the Paris 2024 Olympic boxing competition and Olympic boxing qualifiers was discussed today by the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC).

Achieving a fair process for all NOCs – with the same number of qualification events available to their boxers, regardless of weight category;
An increased number of qualification opportunities in comparison to Tokyo 2020;
Retaining the Athlete Eligibility Criteria successfully used in the Tokyo 2020 boxing qualification system;
Reviewing the quota place distribution per weight category in comparison to the International Boxing Association (IBA)’s proposal; and
Reviewing the quota place distribution per qualification tournament in comparison to IBA’s proposal.

The new qualification system was approved by the IOC EB in September and is based on direct qualification through selected competitions, including the use of NOC regional multisport events as Olympic boxing qualification tournaments. Following the continental phase of the quota place allocation, two world qualification tournaments are planned to be held in 2024, with the goal of providing a balance in terms of geographical opportunity to qualify for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. Details can be found here.

This process puts boxers first, reducing the complexity of the qualification process by using existing regional events and giving up to three qualification opportunities, ultimately achieving a fair and equal pathway for all boxers.

The “Paris 2024 Boxing Event Regulations” for the qualification tournaments and the Olympic Games are due to be published as early as possible in 2023.

With regard to anti-doping, the testing at the Olympic qualification tournaments will be carried out in addition to IBA’s existing programme, in close collaboration with the International Testing Agency (ITA).

New boxing qualification system approved for Paris 2024

08/09/2022

A new boxing qualification system for the Olympic Games Paris 2024 was approved by the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) today after a full update on the situation of boxing, including governance issues within the International Boxing Association (IBA).

Boxers’ pathway to Paris 2024 approved

After deciding last June that the boxing qualifying events and competitions for Paris 2024 would not be run under the authority of the IBA, the IOC EB was presented with an additional qualification model, which was approved during its meeting in Lausanne.

Designed by the IOC in close collaboration with boxing experts, the new qualification system is based on direct qualification through selected competitions, including the use of National Olympic Committee (NOC) regional multisport events as Olympic boxing qualification tournaments. The responsibility for the boxing competitions in the following events will therefore not lie with the IBA, and alternative arrangements will be put in place with the respective event organisers:

Pan-American Games – Santiago 2023
European Games – Krakow 2023
Pacific Games – Honiara 2023
Asian Games – Hangzhou 2022 (taking place in 2023)
ANOCA (Africa) multisport event to be confirmed

Following the continental phase of the quota place allocation, two world qualification tournaments are planned to be held in 2024.

The new Olympic qualification process puts boxers first, lowering the complexity of the qualification process by using existing regional events and giving up to three qualification opportunities, ultimately achieving a fair and equal pathway for all boxers.

Remaining concerns over IBA

The various IOC concerns around the governance of the IBA, including the refereeing and judging process and the IBA’s financial dependency on the state-owned company Gazprom, are still ongoing.

The IOC EB today received a report on the issues related to competition management and refereeing and judging processes highlighted by independent experts during the boxing competition at the recent Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

It also noted that no clear efforts have been made by the IBA to respect and fully implement the roadmap set out by the IOC EB in December 2021 with regard to the IBA’s governance.

As a consequence, the IOC EB has sent a letter to the IBA informing it of the IOC’s ongoing grave concern. Boxing is currently not included in the sports programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 and, considering the absence of any real evolution, the IOC Executive Board is not in a position to reverse its decision. This letter will be shared with the NOCs and national boxing federations.

IOC EB: IBA not in position to run qualifying events and boxing competitions for Paris 2024

24/06/2022

In the interest of the athletes and the boxing community, the Executive Board (EB) of the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has decided that the boxing qualifying events and competitions at the Olympic Games Paris 2024 will not be run under the authority of the International Boxing Association (IBA).

The decision is centred on the athletes and the need to provide certainty on the Olympic competitions and qualifications leading to Paris 2024. It follows the continuing and very concerning issues of the IBA, such as its governance and its refereeing and judging system.

The IOC administration will finalise on an exceptional basis alternative models for the organisation of these boxing competitions, working closely with the Paris 2024 Organising Committee and athletes’ representatives. The outcomes of these discussions and suggested recommendations will then be presented to the IOC EB in due course.

Whether or not boxing will be included on the sports programme of the Olympic Games Los Angeles 2028 will be discussed at a later stage.

Continuing concerns

The various IOC concerns around the governance of the IBA, including the refereeing and judging process and its financial dependency on the state-owned company Gazprom, are still ongoing.

The Court of Arbitration for Sport (CAS) announced on 14 June 2022 that the decision of the IBA Interim Nominations Unit, which had deemed the presidential candidate Boris van der Vorst and three other electoral candidates ineligible for election the day prior to the scheduled IBA elections, had been overturned. The CAS arbitrator accepted the request that they be reinstated as eligible candidates. Furthermore, the CAS stated that Umar Kremlev had committed the same rule violation yet had been admitted to the election as the sole candidate.

With regard to the planned IBA qualification pathway to Paris 2024, the IOC EB noted that no host-city agreements had been signed for the qualification competitions and that there was an insufficient number of certified referees and judges to deliver the planned events.

Background information

Following an investigation and report by an IOC Inquiry Committee in 2019, recognition of the International Boxing Association (at that time still called AIBA) was suspended by the IOC. This suspension is still in force today. Following the suspension, the IOC created a special Task Force with the remit to deliver the qualification events for the boxing tournament at the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Led by IOC Member and President of the International Gymnastics Federation (FIG) Morinari Watanabe, the Boxing Task Force delivered a clear, fair and transparent pathway for boxers to qualify for the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 and ensured a fair and just competition, both on the road to Tokyo and at the Games.

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