The latest edition of the Korotkov Memorial Tournament was held in Khabarovsk, located in the most Eastern part of the Russian Federation.

In spite of the long travelling distances for many of the teams, the level of the competition was at an all time high, with some outstanding performances across all weight classes.

One highlight of the prestigious tournament was Azerbaijan’s new sensation, the 19-year-old Parviz Bagirov who shocked the home favourite, and London 2012 Olympic Games bronze medallist Andrey Zamkovoy in the Korotkov Memorial Tournament.

Athlete of the tournament
Azerbaijan’s EUBC European Youth Continental Champion, and National Elite Champion Parviz Bagirov first became involved in his national elite squad last year, and was involved in a classic in Khabarovsk, as he defeated former AIBA World Boxing Championships silver medallist Andrey Zamkovoy.

The Russian Welterweight class (69 kg) boxer was heavily expected to win the contest due to the lack of elite experience in the short career of Bagirov, but the Azerbaijani athlete defied the odds, and claimed a historic victory away from home.

Teams of the tournament
The Russian squad claimed six gold medals in the front of their home crowd in Khabarovsk, as Russian U22 National Champion Vasiliy Egorov started the winning path following his close triumph over Kazakhstan’s multiple international tournament winner Erzhan Zhomart.

Former AIBA World Champion Sergey Vodopiyanov defeated Azerbaijan’s 19-year-old Tural Ahmadov, after an injury to his opponent in the final round of their Bantamweight class (56 kg) final.

Russia’s defending National Champion Konstantin Bogomazov defeated Iran’s ASBC Asian Continental Championships bronze medallist Golara Faroutan in the final of the Lightweight class (60 kg).

Current EUBC European Continental Champion Nikita Ivanov defeated Hungary’s returning athlete, the three-time AIBA World Championships competitor Norbert Harcsa in the semi-final, and Kazakhstan’s Dauren Yeleussinov in the final.

Viktor Mirgorod and Aleksandr Efimov were also winners for the host country in the Korotkov Memorial Tournament.

Surprise of the tournament
DPR Korea’s top Flyweight class (52 kg) boxer Ri Chung Il stopped Russia’s EUBC European Continental Championships competitor Ovik Oganisyan in the semi-final, and met with Kazakhstan’s current National Champion Adilet Kurmetov for the gold.

The experienced North Korean fighter used his strong jabs to keep the distance, and his quick combinations were enough for him to beat the young Kazakh boxer in Khabarovsk.

One to watch in the future
Kazakhstan’s current AIBA World Champion Zhanibek Alimkhanuly claimed a silver medal at the Gee Bee Tournament in Helsinki, Finland last month where he lost to France’s EUBC European Youth Champion 19-year-old Christian M’Billi Assomo in the final of the event.

The exciting fight went one better here, as he won gold stopping his rivals from Tajikistan and Iran.
Alimkhanuly’s next appearance at international level will be at the upcoming Chemistry Cup in Germany.

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