History made as Fozilova becomes first three-time victor at Asian U22 Boxing Championships
Uzbekistan’s Farzona Fozilova became the first boxer to win three titles at the ASBC Asian U22 Boxing Championships, successfully retaining her women’s under 48kg crown against India’s Guddi in Astana.
It added a fourth Asian title, having also won youth gold previously, for Fozilova, who saw her teammate Feruza Kazakova match her three-title record in the women’s 52kg against Kazakhstan’s Anita Adisheva, to rack up a fifth consecutive continental title in all age groups.
Four golds would go the way of Uzbekistan today – victories also coming for Abdullokh Madaminov in the men’s 63.5kg final and now-five-time Asian champion Jakhongir Zokirov in the men’s +92kg – but topping the medal table was the hosts Kazakhstan.
Defending men’s 54kg champion Nursultan Altynbek bettered Mongolian Enkhsaikhan Oyun-Erdene, youth world silver medallist Yelnur Suyunbay won the men’s 67kg final against India’s Malik Preet and 2021 youth world champion Sabyrzhan Akkalykov stoop atop the podium in the men’s 71kg by beating Dovud Makhkamov.
One of the best brawls of the day saw youth world bronze medallist Dias Molzhigitov from Kazakhstan triumph over current youth world champion in the men’s 75kg final and it was followed by Yerassyl Zhakpekov defeating Afghanistan’s Qais Alizada – the first Afghan Asian finalist since 1995 – in the men’s 80kg category.
Temirlan Mukatayev added to his two youth titles by beating Uzbekistan’s Samandar Djalolov in the second round of the men’s 86kg final and Kenzhe Muratuly bettered Asilbek Jalilov from Uzbekistan in the men’s 51kg.
Six women would claim gold medals for the host nation too, with Zhasmin Kizatova successfully defending her women’s 70kg crown against India’s Saneh, while Diana Magauyayeva toppled youth world champion from India, Alfiya Tarannum Akram Khan Pathan in the women’s 81kg, prior to Eldana Talipova stopping Uzbekistan’s Diyorakhon Abdumannobova in the women’s +81kg final.
Gulnar Turapbay fought well in round three against India’s Tammana to secure the women’s 50kg gold, Shakhnaz Issayeva won the women’s 60kg over Maihesuti Ayiguzaili and the women’s 66kg was won by Aknar Ishanova against Aysanem Saruarova.
India secured seven golds, including the first of the day as Vishvanath Suresh won the men’s 48kg final against Kazakshtan’s Yernar Karap, followed by back-to-back victories in the men’s 57kg and 60kg categories for Nikhil and Akash Ramesh Gorkha against Kazakhstan’s Yerbolat Sabyr and Ruslan Kuzeubayev respectively.
Olympic-bound Preeti won the women’s 54kg final over three rounds with Kazakh world youth champion Elina Bazarova, Poonam defeated Kazakhstan’s Anel Sakysh in the women’s 57kg final and Prachi was victorious in the women’s 63kg final against Kazakhstan’s Anar Tursynbek.
India’s Muskan was the last victor from the country, with the 2022 youth world silver medallist defeating two-time Asian champion Aziza Zokirova from Uzbekistan in the women’s 75kg final.
