India’s Sumit caused a top sensation at the Strandja Memorial Tournament on Day1
The 73rd Strandja Memorial Tournament opened with two sessions in Sofia, Bulgaria where several young Asian talents shined in the first day of boxing. India’s 19-year-old Sumit caused the main sensation of the opening day and eliminated Russia’s star Dzhambulat Bizhamov in the Bulgarian capital.
Strong Asian teams as India, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Kyrgyzstan are attending at the upcoming Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria which is one of the most exciting competitions in the world. The new 73rd Strandja Memorial Tournament is the first from the World Boxing Tour’s Golden Gloves Series and take place between February 18-28.
The Strandja Memorial is Europe’s oldest international boxing tournament and has a strong brand name therefore high number of stars decided to attend in the event. IBA arranged the money prizes and boxers could earn new world ranking points in the 73rd Strandja Memorial Tournament.
Impressive number of 39 nations registered to attend in the new edition of the Strandja Memorial Tournament in Sofia. The competition will be also a preparation event for the upcoming big goals as the IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships and many other continental events.
Kazakhstan’s Makhmud Sabyrkhan defeated his tall German rival
Kazakhstan’s two-time ASBC Asian Youth Champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan reached his career highlight in the Belgrade 2021 AIBA Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships where he achieved silver medal. The 20-year-old Kazakh star met with an older German opponent, Ibrahim Salah in the first round of the men’s bantamweight (54kg). Sabyrkhan was smaller than the German but he had energetic attacks from the first seconds and he tried to reduce the fighting range. Sabyrkhan had different level of speed and he worked hard to win all of the three rounds in the Bulgarian capital during his debut.
Tashiyev and Serik defeated strong rivals at the light welterweight
Kyrgyzstan finally decided to send boxers to the Strandja Memorial Tournament and their AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Zhantoro Tashiyev opened his campaign with a success at the light welterweight (63.5kg). The 19-year-old Kyrgyz boxer caught Russia’s Ruslan Pidgirniak in close range and he was able to eliminate his rival in the first day of boxing. Kazakhstan’s Abzal Serik is even one year younger than Tashiyev, he was born in 2003, but his technical skills amazed the experts and the judges in Sofia. The ASBC Asian Junior Champion Kazakh boxer defeated Ireland’s EUBC European U22 Champion Patrick Dean Clancy by unanimous decision.
Raykhona Kodirova won her opening contest in Sofia
Uzbekistan’s Raykhona Kodirova joined to the international events in 2015 but she developed rapidly in the recent two and half years. The Uzbek lightweight (60kg) boxer had sensational performance in the Tokyo Olympic Games where she was in the Top8. Kodirova faced with EUBC European U22 Boxing Championships silver medallist Cristina Cosma of Romania but she was hard target for her opponent. The Uzbek southpaw had nice hooks and jabs in all of the three rounds and her efforts were enough to win her opening contest in the strong Strandja Memorial Tournament.
India’s Sumit caused the sensation of the day
India arrived with a strong but very young team to the Strandja Memorial Tournament to Sofia, Bulgaria. Their Sumit is an excellent talent in our sport and the 19-year-old middleweight (75kg) boxer caused the sensation of the day. The Indian boxer faced with Russia’s AIBA World Boxing Championships silver medallist Dzhambulat Bizhamov who is one of the stars of this weight class. Sumit was not only brave in the attacks but he could handle the Russian boxer’s repertoires in the first round. The Indian moved closer and he could beat one of the main gold medal favourites in Sofia.
Kazakhstan’s 19-year-old Yerassyl Zhakpekov eliminated a favourite
Kazakhstan arrived to the 73rd Strandja Memorial Tournament with several top boxers and young U22 talents to increase their experiences. Yerassyl Zhakpekov claimed gold medal at the Puerto Princesa 2017 ASBC Asian Junior Boxing Championships and he reached several strong results but he is newcomer in the elite age group. Zhakpekov faced with Serbia’s ex-Russian Vladimir Mironchikov who achieved bronze medal at the last AIBA Men’s Elite World Boxing Championships. Zhakpekov found his best rhythm in the second round and with a great final run, he was able to eliminate one of the favourites at the light heavyweight (80kg) in Sofia.
Uzbekistan’s Odiljon Aslonov proved strong performance on Day1
Uzbekistan’s Odiljon Aslonov is two-time National Champion who moved up to the light heavyweight (80kg) in the recent one year, following he put on muscles to his body and he increased his training session. The Uzbek boxer was highly motivated in the first preliminary round at the Strandja Memorial Tournament and landed shots whenever he wanted against Mario Mitev of Bulgaria. Aslonov looked bigger than he inexperienced Bulgarian and his strength decided their preliminary bout in Sofia.
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