Zhussupov, Bibossinov spark Kazakhstan’s 11-gold haul in Elorda tourney
Defending world champions Temirtas Zhussupov and Saken Bibossinov spearheaded Kazakhstan’s furious campaign as the hometown bets captured 11 out of the 13 titles in the men’s division of the 1st Elorda Cup held recently in the capital city of Nur-Sultan.
The 34-year-old Zhussupov, the minimumweight (48kg) king in the AIBA World Boxing Championships 2021, banked on his experience to eke out a 4-1 victory against the 18-year-old ASBC Asian U22 champion Asilbek Jalilov of Uzbekistan in the opening title match.
The 24-year-old world flyweight (51kg) champ Bibossinov then capped his flawless four-match run in the new international tilt with a 5-0 demolition of Cuba’s Alejandro Claro.
World silver medalist Makhmud Sabyrkhan overwhelmed China’s Fang Bo, 5-0, in bantamweight (54kg) final while fellow silver finisher Serik Termizhanov edged out Cuba’s Osvel Caballero via a 3-2 split decision in featherweight (57kg).
Asian youth and national titlist Samatali Toltayev tripped his fellow Kazakh standout Talgat Syrymbetov, 4-1, in lightweight (60kg) but his twin brother Sanatali surrendered the light welterweight (63.5kg) gold to another teammate and Asian youth champ Mukhammedsabyr Bazarbay Uulu who chalked a convincing 5-0 win.
Aslanbek Shymbergenov utlized his speed and reach advantage to upset world champion Sewon Okazawa, 4-1, in light middleweight (71kg) while 19-year-old promising pug Abzal Serik scored a 4-1 triumph over his senior Dulat Bekbauov in welterweight (67kg).
Oralbay twins Nurbek and Aibek both tallied a hard-earned 3-2 split decision against China’s Tuohetaerbieke Tanglatihan in light heavyweight (80kg) and teammate Sagyndyk Togambay in heavyweight (92kg), respectively.
Abzal Kuttybekov also delivered a gold for Kazakhstan by posting a narrow 3-2 win over Aereo Yainier of Cuba in cruiserweight (86kg).
Meanwhile, current world middleweight (75kg) champ Yoenlis Hernandez of Cuba slipped past Asian titlist Saidjamshid Jafarov of Uzbekistan, 3-2, but another Uzbek in Lazizbek Mullojonov came out victorious by mauling Damir Toybay of Kazakhstan, 5-0, in super heavyweight (+92kg) to close the final day.
The Kazakhstan Boxing Federation awarded the gold medalists from both men’s and women’s divisions with 700 USD prize money while 400 USD and 200 USD were given to silver and bronze winners, respectively.
Formidable national teams from China, India, Cuba, Uzbekistan, Japan, Cuba, Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan and Turkmenistan joined the international tourney that also served as a preparatory event for bigger tournaments in the near future.
List of champions in the men’s division of the 1st Elorda Cup
48kg: Temirtas Zhussupov, Kazakhstan
51kg: Saken Bibossinov, Kazakhstan
54kg: Makhmud Sabyrkhan, Kazakhstan
57kg: Serik Temirzhanov, Kazakhstan
60kg: Samatali Toltayev, Kazakhstan
63.5kg: Mukhammedsabyr Bazarbay Uulu, Kazakhstan
67kg: Abzal Serik, Kazakhstan
71kg: Aslanbek Shymbergenov, Kazakhstan
75kg: Yoenlis Hernandez, Cuba
80kg: Nurbek Oralbay, Kazakhstan
86kg: Abzal Kuttybekov, Kazakhstan
92kg: Aibek Oralbay, Kazakhstan
+92kg: Lazizbek Mullojonov, Uzbekistan
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