Record number of women boxers competed in the Laos National Championships in Vientiane

The 11th edition of the National Boxing Championships in Laos was held in Vientiane which is the capital city of the Southeast Asian country. The national competition was held for the elite women, junior girls, elite men and junior boys in Vientiane. Among the country’s best hopes in the new Olympic cycle Khamphouvanh Khamsathone, Sakhone Lasavongsy and Songka Chanthavong all claimed gold medals in the national event.
Altogether 122 boxers from 20 clubs attended in the Laos National Boxing Championships from all regions of the country. Among these participants 50 were women which show the development of female boxing in Laos. ASBC EC member Mr. Sisouphanh Sengsavanh is working hard to develop all part of boxing in Laos.
Record number of 30 elite women boxers took part in the 11th edition of the Laos National Boxing Championships. In the first female final Toila Kongmany was able to beat National Championships silver medallist Noi Phattana at the light flyweight (48kg) using her speed to beat her experienced rival in the final of the event.
Laos’ most experienced female boxer Songka Chanthavong, who competed in the Southeast Asian Games already in 2011 moved up to the bantamweight (54kg) this year. The 26-year-old boxer used strong combinations and quick counter-attacks against Manivanh Upasa which worked well and defended her national title.
Vilaiphone Vongphachanh did not take any national title before the 11th edition but she proved her skills are now enough to be the best in the country at the featherweight (57kg). She defeated Kong Binlavanh in the gold medal bout while the fourth women’s gold medal was delivered by Lamphoon Khuanchaisikhot which was her first title.
Elite men boxers could fight in six categories from the light flyweight (49kg) up to the welterweight (69kg) in Vientiane. Eight boxers received the right to fight in these weight classes from all regions of the country which meant altogether 48 elite men athletes had the chance to be a champion in Laos.
Laos’ best talent Khamphouvanh Khamsathone competed in the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Sofia in 2014 and in the last edition of the ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships in Bangkok in 2015. The 19-year-old light flyweight (49kg) boxer had great counter-attacks in the final of the national event against defending Champion Sulaxay Singsavat therefore his hand was raised after the final bell.
Sakhone Lasavongsy is only 19 who claimed bronze medal in the last edition of the Laos National Boxing Championships one year ago. Since then he moved up to the flyweight (52kg) where he could reach his career highlight in their new 11th editions of the Nationals. Lasavongsy, whose elder brother is also a boxer, delivered smart boxing in the national event where his technique was brilliant in the final against Chakkavy Phoumlat.
Khamsisack Champasack is a new face at the bantamweight (56kg) but he was able to get his first national title following his triumph over Bounsuane Sisouk. Phetsamone Xayasith (60kg), Voradeth Sisavath (64kg) and Soukanh Sitsommay (69kg) are also newcomers in the elite boxers but each of them were able to beat their final rivals.
Twenty junior girls competed for the medals in three different weight classes in the National Championships in the capital city of Laos. Noungning Chanthavong (46kg), Choumchim Nophalith (48kg) and talented Soi Thammavong (50kg) won the gold medals among the junior ladies.
Laos’ best 24 junior boys could attend in the National Championships in Vientiane to show their current skills which was their first selection to the qualification events of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games. Somxay Inisone (46kg), Viengxay Akhalith (48kg), Santinoy Thaneth (52kg) and Somchai Maikham (56kg) were the new winners in the junior age group.

Winners in the Laos National Championships
Women’s Junior 46kg: Noungning Chanthavong
Women’s Junior 48kg: Choumchim Nophalith
Women’s Junior 50kg: Soi Thammavong
Women’s Elite 48kg: Toila Kongmany
Women’s Elite 51kg: Lamphoon Khuanchaisikhot
Women’s Elite 54kg: Songka Chanthavong
Women’s Elite 57kg: Vilaiphone Vongphachanh
Men’s Junior 46kg: Somxay Inisone
Men’s Junior 48kg: Viengxay Akhalith
Men’s Junior 52kg: Santinoy Thaneth
Men’s Junior 56kg: Somchai Maikham
Men’s Elite 49kg: Khamphouvanh Khamsathone
Men’s Elite 52kg: Sakhone Lasavongsy
Men’s Elite 56kg: Khamsisack Champasack
Men’s Elite 60kg: Phetsamone Xayasith
Men’s Elite 64kg: Voradeth Sisavath
Men’s Elite 69kg: Soukanh Sitsommay