Boxing Championship closes with hosts Russia reigning

Close contests on the final day  

ELISTA — The final fights of the 8th edition of the World University Boxing Championship lit up the packed Oirat-Arena sports complex. On the agenda for the day were fights in ten weight categories among the men and three weight categories among women. 

At the end of the 6-day competition it was host Russia that took top honours, finishing with 11 medals – 5 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze. The second team place was taken by a plucky team from Chinese Taipei which finished with 6 medals. The third place was shared by the boxers from Hungary and Belarus.

In the men’s 52 kg final, left-handed Abay Kuandykov of Kazakhstan created all sorts of problems for Chuan-Hsun Hong of Chinese Taipei. Using all the classic advantages of fighting left-handed, Kuandykov took the initiative from the first round itself and completely dominated the fight.

One of the most interesting fights of the final day was in the men’s 64 kg category, between Russia’s Alisa Sharifov and Hundary’s Kovacs Richards. From the first round on, there was a hard exchange of blows, but more accuracy from the Russian meant he took the lead. In the second round, the Hungarian took the advantage but once again int he third, the Russian boxer increased the pace of the fight. By the decision of the judges, the victory was awarded to Russia. 

Among the women’s bouts, there was an engaging battle between Russian Anna Afinogenova and Chinese Taipei’s Nien-Chin Chen in the 75 kg category. In the first round the Russian dominated, but in the second round Chen levelled positions. In the last round, Afinogenova began to miss the punches, and the keenly contested fight was eventually won by Chen.

Upon completion of the sports program the Head of the Republic of Kalmykia, Alexey Orlov Maratovich, addressed the participants and guests of the Championship with a closing speech. Many dignitaries took part in the closing ceremony, including Olympic, World and European champion Alexander Lebzyak, as well as other decorated boxers like Valery Abadzhan, Peter Galkin, Sergei Dotsenko and Dmitry Pirog. The World University Boxing Championship in Elista, Russia was closed as a grand success!