The Shokhr Boltekuly Tournament showcased some of the most exciting talent on the Asian continent this past week and the Kazak fighters were the ones to shine on home soil , taking nine from a possible ten gold medals.
The Light Flyweight (46-49kg) gold went to Galym Zharylgapov Tournament silver medallist Temirtas Zhusupov who triumphed over his 27-year-old compatriot Adilet Kapezov. The young Kazak will be one to look out for in this Olympic era.
International level newcomer Sagyndyk Moldashev, from the city of Uralsk, eliminated Kyrgyzstan's 18-year-old Bektur Otogonov and advanced to the final of the Flyweight (52kg) class where he met with Kyrgyzstan's top boxer, Shopokov Memorial Tournament winner Azat Usenaliyev. Both boxers were in fine form but it was Moldashev who edged it by beating his experienced rival 8:7.
Bantamweight (56kg) hope Kanat Koptileuov, who defeated more experienced fighters on route to the final, continued his winning ways to claim the title by defeating compatriot, National Championships silver medallist Mukhit Amantayev. Surprisingly, Azerbaijan's former AIBA World Championships bronze medallist Samir Mammadov only took bronze in Aktau.
Kazakhstan's Makar Mazay Memorial Tournament winner Bekman Soilybayev had a tough way to the Lightweight (60kg) final but once again proved his growing credentials as the new Kazakh star battled back from the brink to take victory over 26-year-old Kulibayev Tournament gold medallist Berik Abdrakhmanov on count-back.
In the Light Welterweight (64kg) class, the host nation's Zhanibek Azhibay shocked Azerbaijan's London Olympian Gaybatulla Gadzhialiyev to pave the way for a sumptuous run to the final. He then defeated Kazakhstan's Beijing Olympian Merey Akshalov in the semi-finals before winning 9:8 against Kyrgyzstan's World Combat Games winner Ermek Sakenov in what was a huge battle. As a result of these impressive scalps, the relatively unknown Azhibay was awarded the best boxer trophy for the tournament.
One of the most highly anticipated final bouts was supposed to be the one between Kazakhstan's two-time Asian Junior Champion Bakhytzhan Kozhabekov and China's Asian Champion Maimaitituersun Qiong. Unfortunately, following an injury to the Chinese Welterweight (69kg), the fight was cancelled.
In the repeat of last year's Middleweight (75kg) final, Yerik Alzhanov was able to exact revenge over 22-year-old Asian Championships silver medallist Rustam Svayev. Alzhanov had the better of the last round and won gold after a narrow 12:11 victory.
At Light Heavyweight (81kg), Ukraine's 21-year-old former Youth National Champion Oleksandr Ganzulya reached a personal career highlight after his unexpected victory over Kazakhstan's former University World Champion Dauren Yeleussinov. The Ukrainian youngster's shot selection saw him dominate Yeleussinov to take the title.
Kazakhstan's 21-year-old Tammer Tournament winner Aleksey Sevostyanov had too much for Uzbekistan's Bakhodir Jalolov in the Heavyweight (91kg) final. China's Asian Games quarter-finalist Maimaiti Zaipula unexpectedly only claimed a bronze medal.
24-year-old Vasiliy Levit, who claimed a gold medal at the 2009 Asian Championships in Zhuhai, ensured Kazakhstan's ninth gold medal in Aktau after overwhelming China's Xinjiang-based Yusufu Akepaer 16:5 after winning the Super Heavyweight (91+kg) title.
With so much talent coming through, Kazakhstan will be aiming for several medals at both the AIBA Youth and World Championships in the next year.
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