Big guns shined at the Strandja Memorial Tournament

The famous Strandja Memorial Tournament is underway in the capital city of Bulgaria in Sofia which is already the 76^th edition in the event’s history.

The Bulgarian Boxing Federation has a professional staff to handle big events, major championships and they have three or four international competitions every year.

Such strong boxing nations as Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, China, England, Italy, France, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Bulgaria, Turkey, Chinese Taipei, Croatia, Ireland and many others are there to compete against the bests of the bests.

Kazakhstan’s Gulnar Turapbay (50kg), France’s Kaelya Mopin (52kg), Italy’s Melissa Gemini (75kg) and China’s returning Olympic Champion, Li Qian (75kg) won their female contests during the long session.

Ireland’s Adam Hession is a promising boxer but his success over Uzbekistan’s Samandar Olimov was a small surprise in Sofia. Another Irish hope, a new face in the national team, Godstime Idemudia eliminated another Uzbek boxer, Arman Makhanov at the super heavyweight (+92kg).

England’s European Games competitor Jack Dryden was another superb winner at the men’s lightweight (60kg), he had a points decision success over Azerbaijan’s 24-year-old Maksud Khasmetov.

Georgia’s Demur Kajaia won several schoolboy, junior and youth competitions but he is now one of their aces in the elite national team. The Georgian had the advantage in routine to beat Chinese Taipei’s Lin Yu at the strong men’s welterweight (67kg).

Kazakhstan’s stars such as Yertugan Zeinullinov (63.5kg), Mukhammedsabyr Bazarbay Uulu (63.5kg), the Olympics silver medallist Nurbek Oralbay (86kg), the former World Champion Bekzad Nurdauletov (86kg) and the Asian Champion Aibek Oralbay (+92kg) all won their preliminary contests in Sofia.

Uzbekistan’s Asian Champion Turabek Khabibullayev decided to move up to the heavyweight (92kg) and his decision paid off against England’s Isaac Okoh in a superb contest while Jakhongir Zokirov (+92kg) also won a strong meeting.