By Abdellatif Sharaa

KUWAIT: Uzbekistan boxers proved tough in a highly competitive 1st Kuwait International Boxing Championship that was concluded on Sunday. Five out of seven boxers qualified for the final bouts. The closing ceremony was attended by President of Asian Boxing Confederation Pichai Chunhayajra and President of Kuwait Boxing Federation Mohammad Mansi as well as diplomats and heads of delegations from 20 countries.

The semi-finals saw a highly technical confrontation between Uzbek and Iranian fighters as they met in the 51kg, 80kg and 92+ kg and all ended in favor of the Uzbeks while only two Iranians qualified for the final of 51kg and 63 kg. The 71kg bout between Moroccan Hamza Albarbari and Uzbek Javlonbek Yuldoshev was very exciting and very close and went in favor of Yuldoshev.

President of the Asian Boxing Confederation (ABC) Pichai Chunhayajra said the 1st Kuwait International Boxing Championship achieved outstanding success in all fields. "We are proud of the role Kuwait Boxing Federation played and the attention that was given to all participating delegations, led by Chairman Mohammad Mansi," he said. He said ABC will be the first to support Kuwait if it applies to host any regional, continental or international championships in the future.

KUWAIT: Uzbekistan's Abdulmalik Khalokov (left) and Hong Kong's Rex Tso Singyu compete during the Kuwait International Boxing Championship on July 24, 2022.

Head of the referees committee Abdallah Al-Raqam said there were no official protests from participating delegations over the final results - adding that the 17 international referees who officiated the bouts were as expected and observed all international boxing rules which contributed to the success of the event.

The results of the semifinal bouts are as follows: In the 51 kg, Mostafa Rigi (IRI) beat Mansour Mubarak (KWT); AbdumajidMannopov (UZB) defeated Muntadher Ali Nasser (IRQ). In the 57 kg, Sarawut Sukthet (THA) outpunched Sajad Mohammad (IRI); AbdumalikKhalokov (UZB) defeated Tso Singyu (HOK). In the 63kg, Khuntip Pidnuch (THA) beat LazizbekFattoev (UZB) while Bagher Faraji (IRI) overpowered Yahya Sami (IRQ).

In the 71kg, Sitthisak Choomkulmarn (THA) beat Zhakshylyk (KGZ) as Javlonbek Yuldoshev (UZB) defeated Hamza El Barbari (MAR). In the 80kg, UUluErkin Adylbek (KGZ) defeated Seyed Hossein Mirahmadibabaheidari (IRI) while Dilshodbek (UZB) def Seyed Shahin Mousavi (IRI). In the 92kg, DiyorbekUralov (UZB) beat Toufan Sharifi (IRI) as MykytaGorbatenko (UKR) defeated Khalid Al-Shimmari (KWT). In the 92+kg, Maimaiti Aihemaiti (CHN) overpower TuohongtajiAizihaier (CHN).