Uktamova, Lakiichuk, Kizatova and Tashiev shined on Day 7 at YWCHs
April 19th, 2021 / IBA
The afternoon session of the seventh competition day with 28 quarter-final contests was held at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in Kielce, Poland. Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova and Ukraine’s Khrystyna Lakiichuk were today’s first medallists while Kyrgyzstan achieved its first podium place since 2010.
All winners advanced to the semi-finals and secured a medal at the competition. Boxers in women’s bantamweight (54kg), welterweight (69kg), men’s light flyweight (49kg), bantamweight (56kg), light welterweight (64kg), middleweight (75kg) and heavyweight (91kg) were in action today afternoon.
Uzbekistan’s Nigina Uktamova and Ukraine’s Khrystyna Lakiichuk won the opening contests of the session
Thailand’s Thipsatcha Yodwaree eliminated Uzbekistan’s favorite Farzona Fozilova in the quarter-finals of the women’s light flyweight (48kg) on Day 6. Another big fight was held between the two Asians in the afternoon session today, Uzbekistan’s ASBC Asian Junior Champion Nigina Uktamova met with Thailand’s Noppaket Srisawas in the women’s bantamweight (54kg).
The Uzbek girl took a comfortable position in the center of the ring and imposed her rhythm of the fight. Srisawas was routinely avoiding most of her rival’s attacks, however, she couldn’t land strong punches. Uktamova led on the scorecards after the first round and also won a second one. In the third round, Srisawas tried to push in the third round but her rival was better in exchanges.
‘This is my first big championships, the bouts are not so easy and the opponents are quite experienced. For me, it remains important to fight until the end of the contest not only physically but also mentally. It does not matter who is the opponent, and what are her previous results. I will do my hard work in the ring,’ said Uktamova following her success.
Turkey’s Sevgi Dogan had the advantage against Ukraine’s Khrystyna Lakiichuk after three minutes. The Ukrainian seconds changed the tactic after it, and their boxer was able to follow new instructions in the second round. Lakiichuk controlled also the third round and accomplished her target in Kielce where she is one more medalist at the bantamweight (54kg).
Kazakhstan’s Zhasmin Kizatova is a sensational newcomer in Kielce
Kazakhstan’s Zhasmin Kizatova is a newcomer on the international stage, she moved up to the welterweight (69kg) to get the chance at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships. She claimed a bronze medal at the last Elite National Championships but she is unknown out of Kazakhstan.
The Karagandy region’s boxer exceeded all of the expectations in the quarter-finals of the category against Italy’s EUBC European Youth Champion Melissa Gemini. She was quicker than the Italian, moved a lot on feet and successfully counter-attacked in the first round. Gemini was not able to find her “weapon” against her and she lost the chance to get a medal at the tournament.
Kizatova had strong physical condition to keep the same rhythm until the final gong and earned an unexpected medal in Kielce. Three Asians advanced to the semi-finals in this weight category, among them, Uzbekistan’s Khadijabonu Abdullaeva and India’s Arundhati Choudhary are also semi-finalists.
Kyrgyzstan claimed its first medal at the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships since 2010
Kyrgyzstan claimed its last medal in the history of the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships in 2010 when Islamzhan Dalibayev earned bronze in Baku. The head coach of the youth national team Mr. Daniyar Tologon Uulu selected nine boxers to the Kielce edition and two of them advanced to the quarter-finals.
Their first hope Zhantoro Tashiev had a gold medal contender rival, Russia’s Mikail Zainulabidov who won the title at the Budva 2020 EUBC Youth European Boxing Championships. The Kyrgyz boxer surprised his Russian opponent with his speed in the first round in light welterweight (64kg) quarter-final.
Zainulabidov increased his tempo at the beginning of the second round but Tashiev was highly motivated. The final verdict depended on their performance in the third round. Tashiev had the fighting spirit, stamina and enough of technical skills to eliminate his Russian rival. Tashiev’s excellent finish delivered Kyrgyzstan’s first medal in the AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships after 11 years of break.