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The 2018 Edition of the AIBA Youth World Championships come to close crowing another 10 gold medalists

August 31st, 2018 / IBA

Friday’s action saw the last ten Finals of Youth World Championships at Budapest’s Duna Arena. After 341 bouts, twenty new World Champions representing nine different nations were crowned in what promises to be one of the best future generations of the noble art.

Mens Fly (52kg)
One of the biggest surprises of the event came on today’s first bout with USA’s Asa Stevens defeating Ivan Hope, one of the most talented English Youth boxers. After three thrilling rounds, it was the tactic from the United States team which got more credit granting the World Champion title to Asa Stevens.

Mens Light (60kg)
Atichai Phoemsap is the new Light Youth World Champion, the Thailand‘s hand raised after three breathtaking rounds against Hungary’s hope Adrian Orban in Budapest. It was a typically flamboyant display by Phoemsap with a lightning-fast start from two brilliant boxers using the whole of the ring to deliver their craft. Ultimately, it was Phoemsap’s nimble attacks that saw the Thai clinching the second gold medal for his country.

Mens Welter (69kg)
Russia’s EUBC European Youth Champion Dzhambulat Bizhamov and Kazakhstan’s ASBC Asian Youth Champion Yermakhan Zhakpekov faced each other in a dreamed final at the men’s welterweight (69kg). The 18-year-old Russian boxer used his longer reach to took early advantage on the first round. The Kazakh reaction wasn’t enough to get the score board back on his favor, and Bizhamov was awarded with a split decision to become World Champion.

Mens Light Heavy (81kg)
The second final between Kazakhstan and Russia was held at the men’s light heavyweight (81kg) where two-time EUBC European Youth Champion Ruslan Kolesnikov and ASBC Asian Youth Champion Sagyndyk Togambay stepped on the ring on pursuit of the Youth glory.          And it was Russia’s Ruslan Kolesnikov who produced the best performance of the bout to clinch the gold medal.

Mens Super Heavy (91+kg)
Russia’s Aleksei Dronov and Kazakhstan’s Damir Toibay then took to the ring for the Super Heavyweight Final. The Russian boxer stamina completely surprised Toibay who received a strong punishment on the first moments of the bout. The power of Dronov was too much for the referee who stopped the bout to protect the Kazakh boxer after being counted twice in round one.

Womens Fly (51kg)
USA’s Heaven Garcia and India’s Anamika produced one of the moments to remember at the Duna Arena. The performance of the two young boxers was excellent making the final decision very difficult for the judges. But it was the experience of the AMBC American Youth Continental Championships champion the one which prevailed, and Heaven Garcia became World Champion.

Womens Feather (57kg)
Sakshi Ghanghas list of achievements is as impressive as her way of boxing. The Youth Indian added a third gold medal at her World Championships collection by defeating the talented Nikolina Cacic from Croatia at the Duna Arena. Ghanghas is now two-times Youth World Champion and Junior Champion.

Womens Light Welter (64kg)
A brilliant Women’s Light Welterweight Final unravelled between India’s Manisha and England’s Gemma Richardson, two technically excellent boxers who clearly thrived on the big stage as they delivered three rounds of pure entertainment. Richardson has truly found her space, and despite Manisha’s incredible evasive manoeuvres, it was the English who found the perfect range and rhythm to deliver herself a richly deserved gold.

Womens Middle (75kg)
France’s Tallya Brillaux and Russia’s Anstasiia Shamanova then put on a Women’s Middleweight (75kg) masterclass for the crowds, the Russian’s relentless attacks gradually taking their toll on Brillaux. With the French never allowed to settle into a groove long enough to mount a challenge, it was Shamanova’s hand that was raised as World Champion.

Womens Heavy (+81kg)
The Kazakh and Ukraine teams then returned to their respective corners for the last bout of the event in Budapest as Dina Islambekova of Kazakhstan and Ukraine’s Mariia Lovchynska came into the ring to box for the Women’s Heavyweight World title. Islambekova looked to dominate the centre of the ring and control the bout, with Lovchynska content to launch rapid counters when the rare opportunity presented itself. The openings became fewer as the Kazakh seized the initiative, and it was a win on points decision that eventually took Islambekova to gold.