Uzbeks take six golds in Islamabad

Uzbekistan confirmed their status as one of Asia's leading boxing nations after dominating the 2nd edition of the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Memorial Tournament in Islamabad with a haul of six gold medals from ten weight categories.

Rahmonov (UZB) took the Light Welterweight gold

The first of these gold medals was achieved by AIBA President's Cup winner Orzubek Shayimov. The 24-year-old Bantamweight, already qualified for the London Olympic Games, triumphed over Pakistan's South Asian Games winner Naimatullah in the semis before defeating Syria's Asian Games bronze medallist Wessam Salamana 19:15 in the final.

Former Asian Champion and Asian Games bronze medallist Sanjarbek Rahmonov was in tremendous form in Islamabad, recording several quick victories before dominating Cameroon's National Champion Serge Ambono in the Light Welterweight gold medal final contest.

Two Uzbek boxers advanced to the Welterweight final with National Champion Hurshidbek Normatov overpowering 19-year-old AIBA Youth World Championships silver medallist Ahmad Mamadjanov 18:11. Star attraction Abbos Atoyev, who had failed to achieve Olympic qualification at the 16th edition of the AIBA World Boxing Championships in Baku, defeated his big rival 21-year-old current Asian champion Shuhrat Abdullayev 18:10 to take the Middleweight title.

AIBA World Championships silver medallist and two-time Asian Games winner Elshod Rasulov has dominated all of his Asian rivals in this Olympic era. The Light Heavyweight boxer continued his winning streak as he triumphed over Syria's 20-year-old Manaf Assad 20:10. With 20-year-old AIBA World Championships quarter-finalist Fazliddin Gaibnazarov awarded the gold medal after having been given a walk over in the Lightweight final following his opponent's withdrawal, the Uzbek squad was presented with the best team award after taking a total six gold medals in this competition.

Syria's Asian Games winner and reigning Asian Champion Mohammad Ghossoun was unable to travel to the AIBA World Championships to Baku following political unrest in his country but he treated spectators to a masterclass in Islamabad after winning an epic Heavyweight final. Ghossoun was superb as he beat Uzbekistan's Sydney Jackson Memorial Tournament winner Rustam Tulaganov by a narrow 27:22 scoreline following an excellent final round.

Mohammad's elder brother, Sumar Ghossoun returned to the world of boxing victory in the Super Heavyweight category, acquiring Syria's second gold in the competition. Sumar eliminated Iranian newcomer Ali Salmani Koyakhi to take the title.

Kenya's top boxer, Commonwealth Championships silver medallist Peter Mungai Warui secured a gold medal for the African nation. The Kenyan policeman eliminated Uzbek newcomer Mansurjon Ismatullayev and Pakistan's Muhammad Nisar on route to the final before dispatching Mongolia's Ganselem Ariunbold 21:7 to finish in top spot.

Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Muhammad Waseem from Pakistan ensured a gold medal for the host nation at the Shaheed Benazir Bhutto Memorial Tournament. The 24-year-old local Flyweight boxer overwhelmed Kenya's Commonwealth Games silver medallist Benson Gicharu in the final.

Source:  www.aiba.org/en-US/news/ozqsp/newsId/4374/news.aspx