Villegas and Gheshlaghi won the tightest contests of the day in Italy
Philippines’ Aira Villegas and Iran’s Meysam Gheslaghi won one of the tightest bouts during the sixth competition day at the 1st World Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event in Busto Arsizio, Italy. All of the winners from today’s actions are near to qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Afghanistan, Bhutan, Bahrain, China, Hong Kong, India, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, South Korea, Nepal, Pakistan, Palestine, the Philippines, Qatar, Singapore, Tajikistan, Thailand, Chinese Taipei, Turkmenistan, United Arab Emirates, Uzbekistan and Vietnam are the 26 participating Asian countries in Busto Arsizio.
Uzbekistan’s reigning ASBC Asian Champion at the women’s welterweight (66kg), Navbakhor Khamidova won her Round of 32 contest in the sixth day of boxing. The 23-year-old Uzbek was dominant against Greece’s Paraskevi Mavrommati she will now meet Netherlands’ Luna Beeloo in the last 16.
Chinese Taipei’s World Champion Chen Nien Chin looked so confident from the first seconds against Slovakia’s Jessica Triebelova in their welterweight (66kg) meeting. Chen was relaxed, focused and she jumped into the best fighting range with quick left-handed jabs therefore her world class performance guaranteed her unanimous success.
Kazakhstan’s reigning World Champion at the light heavyweight (80kg) Nurbek Oralbay had a powerful opponent, Togo’s Prewa Padabadi who lives and trains in France. The African boxer had a few heavy shots in the first round but Oralbay’s technical skills and strategy controlled their exciting bout.
The South Koreans are working well in Busto Arsizio, their female boxers won almost all of their contests in the previous days. One of their top male boxer, the 28-year-old Kim Jin Jea had a hectic fight against Sweden’s Erik Mendoza but he managed the way to beat his European opponent at the
Weerapon Jongjoho, the World Championships bronze medallist Thai was the favourite against Kyrgyzstan’s Omurbek Bekzhigit Uulu but he could not keep the long distance. The Kyrgyz light heavyweight (80kg) boxer also has five years of experience in the national team and his energetic attacks paid off today in their meeting.
Kazakhstan’s Alua Balkybekova moved up to the light flyweight (50kg) only in the previous months and the World silver medallist replaced Nazym Kyzaibay in the team. The Kazakh boxer landed tough shots with both hands in the first round against Czech Republic’s Claudia Totova and she had the clear advantage on the scorecards. Balkybekova’s speed was impressive in this Round of 32 contest and she won this bout by unanimous decision but most importantly with fantastic style of boxing.
Uzbekistan’s southpaw Sabina Bobokulova was smaller than Singapore’s Danisha Mathialagan and she had to move a lot on feet to catch her Southeast Asian opponent. The 20-year-old Asian U22 Champion Uzbek was better by minutes by minutes and she defeated a well-developed rival at the light flyweight (50kg) in Busto Arsizio.
Kazakhstan’s reigning World Champion Makhmud Sabyrkhan was expecting a hard battle against Thailand’s Sarawut Sukthet and he kept the full concentration until the last gong. In another Asian battle at the men’s featherweight (57kg), Tajikistan’s Asror Vokhidov was faster than South Korea’s Shin Jae Yong and he destroyed his rival.
Iran’s 2021 Asian Championships silver medallist Meysam Gheshlaghi returned to the national team at the light heavyweight (80kg) and he invested many energies to his fight against Mexico’s Hector Aguirre. The Iranian boxer liked the in-fighting style in their meeting and despite his tired actions in the third, he advanced to the last 16.
Philippines’ Aira Villegas won her last international competition, the Boxam Tournament in Spain but she had to do her very best to beat Canada’s McKenzie Wright in their light flyweight (50kg) bout. Her World Champion and Olympic silver medallist teammate Nesthy Petecio met with a tough resistance but she managed to beat Germany’s Canan Tas at the women’s featherweight (57kg).
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