Kazakhstan’s clean sweep in the male U22 semi-finals in Astana

Kazakhstan made clean sweep in the men’s U22 semi-finals at the ASBC Asian U22 & Youth Boxing Championships in Astana today.

India’s Vishvanath Suresh and Philippines’ Jay Bryan Baricuatro both eliminated tough opponents in the quarter-finals of the U22 minimumweight (48kg). The Filipino started the bout with heavy attacks but Suresh responded immediately and their first round delivered a fantastic battle between them. The referee counted both boxers in the second round and the 3:2 split decision meant that a bout review required to decide this impressive semi-final which was won by the Indian.

Uzbekistan’s Khujanazar Nortojiyev and Kazakhstan’s Nursultan Altynbek both earned Asian titles during their boxing career but they had to meet already in the semi-finals of the bantamweight (54kg). The Uzbek moved forward in the first and second rounds but Altynbek had the routine and speed to avoid most of the punches from Nortojiyev’s side.

Kazakhstan’s Youth World Champion Sabyrzhan Akkalykov was outstanding in the quarter-finals of the light middleweight (71kg) and he repeated that in the first round against India’s Ankush. The 21-year-old Kazakh opened the second round with heavy shots and he had the clear dominance in the middle and last parts of their semi-final.

Afghanistan’s Qais Alizada maintained the best fighting range in the first minute and one of his quick hooks were almost finished his semi-final against India’s Dhruv Singh. Alizada amazed once again in the third round and his extraordinary performance delivered for him a place in the finals and he is the first Afghan for an Asian title since 1995.

The Youth World Champion Jakhongir Zokirov, the star of the super heavyweight (+92kg), needed less than one round to beat Iran’s Reza Khalilzadeh in the first semi-final. The Uzbek No.1 will be boxing for the title of the king weight class with Kazakhstan’s Amanat Sabyrgali who eliminated Jordan’s Razi Alhyasat.