Asia achieved 12 guaranteed medals after the quarter-finals of the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia

Photo Source: Maria Galabova

Four women and eight men Asian boxers won their contests in the fourth competition day of the Strandja Memorial Tournament which is one of the strongest international boxing event in the whole world which began in Sofia, Bulgaria on Tuesday with the participation of 36 countries. The winners are now guaranteed medallists in the Strandja Memorial Tournament.
Among the participating nations China, Chinese Taipei, India, Kazakhstan, Singapore and Thailand represent the Asian continent. Among the Asian nations Singapore is competing in the Strandja Memorial Tournament at the very first time in the history of the event. The top countries of the world such as Russia, Azerbaijan, Ukraine, United States of America and England all sent their best boxers to the Strandja Memorial Tournament.
India’s Maisnam Meena Kumari was the first Asian boxer who could win a guaranteed medal in the Strandja Memorial Tournament following her victory over Singapore’s Efasha Kamarudin in the bantamweight (54kg). China’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games silver medallist Yin Junhua dominated her opening bout against Netherlands’ newcomer Gina Hofman at the lightweight (60kg) and she was able to continue her winning path against England’s AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships silver medallist Sandy Ryan.
The middleweight (75kg) is very strong in Asian women’s boxing life therefore two of our boxers are advanced to the semi-finals in Sofia. Firstly AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Chen Nien Chin of Chinese Taipei was able to win her quarter-final against India’s Monica Saun and following that China’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist Li Qian eliminated United States’ new National Champion Oshae Jones in the fourth competition day.
India’s first medal in the men’s competition was achieved by their new National Champion at the light flyweight (49kg) Amit Panghal who defeated Kazakhstan’s Yerzhan Zhomart in the quarter-final. India’s new National Champion at the bantamweight (56kg) is Mohamed Hussamuddin who demonstrated his power against Bulgaria’s AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships silver medallist Dushko Blagovestov and also advanced to the semi-finals.
China’s first man medal was delivered by Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist Hu Jianguan who defeated England’s young talent Niall Farrell in the quarter-final of the flyweight (52kg). Asia’s second guaranteed medal in this weight class was taken by Thailand’s ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships bronze medallist Tanes Ongjunta who triumphed over Spain’s Gabriel Escobar in the last eight.
China’s Wen Yinhang regained his place in the national team at the middleweight (75kg) and defeated Turkey’s Ihsan Erdogan in his second hectic contest in the Strandja Memorial Tournament. Kazakhstan’s former ASBC Asian Youth Champion Tursynbai Kulakhmet moved back to the middleweight (75kg) in the recent one year and also won a guaranteed medal in Sofia where his rival was Georgia’s Konstantin Khvistani. The final verdict was unanimous decision to the Kazakh talent.
China’s third male medal was delivered by Huang Jiabin at the light heavyweight (81kg) following his clear success over Italy’s Federico Antonaci in Sofia. Kazakhstan’s new super heavyweight (+91kg) No.1 Kamshybek Kunkabayev claimed Asia’s 12th medal in Sofia after his amazing performance against Georgia’s experienced Mikheil Bakhtidze in the quarter-final and will be boxing with Bulgaria’s Petar Belberov in the next round.