A strong line up of boxing talent from China, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Russia, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan and the host nation Kazakhstan gathered in the city of Pavoldar for the Vakhitov Tournament from 2-7 December. Among the champions was Tajikstan’s sensational young talent Shabbos Negmatulloev, who’s middleweight gold was one of just three not to be won by the host nation.

Named after legendary coach Rafael Vakhitov, the tournament drew a world-class line up, with Kazakhstan’s Darkhan Kambarov taking the first gold in his light flyweight final against Tajikstan’s Shukhrat Sabzaliyev.

It was a younger Tajikstani who lit up the competition, however, as 18 year-old Shabbos Negmatulloev took a sensational final against Kazakhstan’s defending middleweight champion Danat Imanbekov.

“I have been training hard with my father since the unsuccessful ASBC Asian Confederation Boxing Championships where I was not in top shape. I feel much stronger since the Bangkok event, though, keeping my focus in Pavlodar and I am now looking forward the main events in 2016,” said Negmatulloev.

Two more upcoming young stars, Uzbekistan’s Anvar Turapov and Kazakhstan’s Ilya Ochkin, took gold medals as new talent dominated the podium, while WSB Season VI hopeful Shaimurat Kusainov beat Kyrgyzstan’s Erkinbek Adylbek to take light heavyweight gold. Two more home favourites, Olzhas Bukayev and Dinmukhamed Tasybayev took the heavyweight and super heavyweight titles respectively to round off the competition.

Full list of winners at the Vakhitov Tournament

 49 kg: Darkhan Kambarov, Kazakhstan

 52 kg: Almaz Nurgali, Kazakhstan

 56 kg: Sabyr Kuanysh, Kazakhstan

 60 kg: Maimaiti Abduraim, China

 64 kg: Anvar Turapov, Uzbekistan

 69 kg: Ilya Ochkin, Kazakhstan

 75 kg: Shabbos Negmatulloev, Tajikistan

 81 kg: Shaimurat Kusainov, Kazakhstan

 91 kg: Olzhas Bukayev, Kazakhstan

 +91 kg: Dinmukhamed Tasybayev, Kazakhstan

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