Uzbekistan’s Olympic Champions amazed the crowd in the quarter-finals of the Thailand International Invitational Tournament

Wuttichai Masuk

The second day of the Thailand International Invitational Tournament delivered great battles between the star boxers in Bangkok and the winners are now guaranteed medallists in the event. Uzbekistan’s Olympic Champions such as Hasanboy Dusmatov and Shakhobiddin Zoirov both advanced to the last four following their amazing performance.
Uzbekistan’s Rio 2016 Olympic Champion, defending ASBC Asian Champion and unbeaten WSB star Hasanboy Dusmatov won all of the rounds against Philippines’ AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships bronze medallist Carlo Paalam and advanced to the semi-final of the light flyweight (49kg). In the same category DPR Korea’s Kim Un Song was able to beat Thailand’s best in this weight class 20-year-old Thitisak Hoitong in Bangkok and also secured his place in the semi-finals.
Thailand’s ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships bronze medallist Tanes Ongjunta returned to his original flyweight (52kg) and had a narrow triumph over Philippines’ Ian Clark Bautista in the quarter-finals. Uzbekistan’s AIBA World Boxing Championships silver medallist strong Jasurbek Latipov also advanced to the semi-finals in the Thailand International Invitational Tournament following his triumph over the host country’s Kritiphak Duangnut today.
Uzbekistan’s next Olympic Champion after Dusmatov, Shakhobiddin Zoirov also dominated his quarter-final bout against Chinese Taipei’s Kao Shih Yen in his debuting event since the August’s Games. Zoirov moved up to the bantamweight (56kg) but he adopted the category’s level quickly and can prepare to his semi-final bout in Bangkok. Thailand’s ASBC Asian Champion Chatchai Butdee had a narrow triumph over Japan’s Rentaro Kimura while DPR Korea’s Jo Hyo Nam surprised Kazakhstan’s Nurbol Kalzhanov with his strong punches.
Mongolia’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist and Incheon 2014 Asian Games winner Dorjnyambuu Otgondalai received the right to box following his silver medal in the National Championships. The Mongolian lightweight (60kg) boxer used his experiences to beat Thailand’s Rujakran Juntrong while Uzbekistan’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games bronze medallist Murodjon Akhmadaliev, Thailand’s 20-year-old Somchay Wongsuwan and Cuba’s Dariesky Palmero also advanced to the semi-finals.
Thailand’s ASBC Asian Champion and Incheon 2014 Asian Games winner Wuttichai Masuk had warm moments against Mongolia’s Baatarsukh Chinzorig but finally his hand was raised after the final bell. Japan’s Rio 2016 Olympian Daisuke Narimatsu had also a big battle against Cuba’s Kevin Hayler Brown and in spite of the Asian boxer’s great performance the Caribbean was able to secure his place in the last four.
Kazakhstan’s defending AIBA Youth World Champion Sadriddin Akhmedov was amazing against Turkmenistan’s teenage talent Serdar Amangeldiyev in the first preliminary round and following his top performance he spent only two minutes in the ring against Thailand’s veteran Apichet Saensit when the local boxer was injured. Besides to Akhmedov, Uzbekistan’s Rio 2016 Olympic Games silver medallist Shakhram Giyasov did his best at the welterweight (69kg) in Bangkok where he was too strong for India’s veteran Manoj Kumar.
Kazakhstan’s Bocskai Memorial Tournament winner Yerik Alzhanov eliminated India’s two-time Olympian Vikas Krishan Yadav on Day1 and continued his top performance against Thailand’s bets middleweight (75kg) boxer Kuttiya Pathomsak. Uzbekistan’s Israil Madrimov, who was unbeaten in 2016, controlled his quarter-final against Chinese Taipei’s Kan Chia Wei which means he is also a guaranteed medallist in the event.