Faqihi, Al-Faifi and Al-Jassas shined in the Saudi Arabian Qualifying National Championships

The Saudi Arabian Qualifying National Championships was held in the city of Abha where 10 champions have been crowned in the event. Their elite No.1, Gulf Countries Tournament winner Sajad Ali Al-Jassas became the best boxer proving his talent once again in a national elite competition.
The previous President of the Syrian Boxing Federation, AIBA Supervisor Mr. Mohamed Kamel Shbib has been working for the country’s successes and future developments. The Saudi Arabian Boxing Federation has got strategic plans for long term and signed with Egyptian and Cuban coaches as well to develop boxing in the country.
The Saudi Arabians competed in the ASBC Asian Confederation Junior Boxing Championships in Puerto Princesa with five boxers which meant the country returned to the continental boxing map after a long hiatus. Saudi Arabia is focusing to the grassroots of the sport and trying to build up teams in all age groups.
The first gold medal in the Saudi Arabian Qualifying National Championships was achieved by National Championships silver medallist Moutieb Aoud Al-Dosari of Damak who defeated Ryan Ali Al-Sider of Riyadh in the final of the light flyweight (49kg). The second was taken by Fares Ayed Al-Mitani of Oqaz who was too strong for Omar Ali Mashnoq of Damak in the final of the flyweight (52kg).
A promising young talent, 20-year-old Sajad Ali Al-Jassas is one of the biggest talent in Saudi Arabia’s boxing life who won the title in the Gulf Countries Tournament in 2016. Al Taraji’s best boxer dominated all of the rounds against Abdulrahman Touban of Oqaz and won his next national title at the bantamweight (56kg).
Al Taraji’s next gold medal was captured by their newcomer Abdellah Ali Al-Mohamed who defeated Ammar Abdellah Khotani at the lightweight (60kg). Damak’s Talal Ahmad Mohamed is also a new name in Saudi Arabia’s boxing life who did great job in his first big event. Khalid Ahmad Khabrani moved up to the welterweight (69kg) and following his national title in 2016 he was able to beat all of his rivals including Hassan Ahmad Shnaq in the gold medal bout.
Salem Ahmed Faqihi is an experienced boxer who competed already in the international events in 2011 including an AIBA World Boxing Championships as well. He won the last edition of the Saudi Arabian Open National Championships in July and continued his winning path against Yahya Aoud Al-Dosari in the final of the middleweight (75kg).
Ahmed Jaber Al-Faifi is also an experienced boxer in the national team who moved up to the light heavyweight (81kg) in the recent one year and the Oqaz-based boxer was impressed the judges once again in a national event. The veteran boxer dominated his final contest against Al Taraji’s Salman Mirza Hamadi in the title contest.
Al Taraji’s third gold medal was taken by Hashem Zaki Al-Shakhouri at the heavyweight (91kg) following his victory over Damak’s Ali Yahya Haqawi. Mecca’s Naser Talal Bawazer won the Saudi Arabian Open National Championships at the super heavyweight (+91kg) in July and he was able to continue his winning series following his impressive triumph over national team member veteran Turki Salem Ahmed Subyani.

List of the winners in the Saudi Arabian Open National Championships
49kg: Moutieb Aoud Al-Dosari
52kg: Fares Ayed Al-Mitani
56kg: Sajad Ali Al-Jassas
60kg: Abdellah Ali Al-Mohamed
64kg: Talal Ahmad Mohamed
69kg: Khalid Ahmad Khabrani
75kg: Salem Ahmed Faqihi
81kg: Ahmad Jaber Al-Faifi
91kg: Hashem Zaki Al-Shakhouri
+91kg: Naser Talal Bawazer