Dushanbe, Tajikistan - on 7 May, the 1^st Asian University Boxing Championship ended in Dushanbe. 68 Boxers representing 9 countries (Afghanistan, Iran, Japan, Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Thailand, Turkmenistan and Tajikistan) in 10 categories for men and 3 categories for women, participated in the 5-day competition.

Exciting Finals!

The finals started with women's 51kg between SVETLANA Veglina (TJK) and RAKSAT Chuthamat (THA). Chuthamat was the bronze medal winner of 2015 Doha World Boxing Championship and the silver medal winner of 2015 South East Asia Games. Needless to say, she was the super star in this category. Veglina was not a glass jaw as well, but she was less experienced and not as fast as her opponent. Finally, Chuthamat won and received the gold medal from AUSF Senior President, Omar AL-HAI.

After 3 pairs of women boxers, the men's competition began. In the 64kg category, OKISHIMA Hikaru (JPN) and OGONAZAROV Shorukh (JTK) were well-matched. Hikaru was quite active and used to straight punches. He moved quite frequently to try to get the point. His opponent Shorukh was also a very experienced boxer in Tajikistan, and he really wanted to win the match for his country. He was fast and skillful as well. Finally, the gold medal was presented to Hikaru. Shorukh felt so sad that he wept on the podium when receiving the silver medal from AUSF Assessor Mr. Hisato Igarashi.

In the 81kg category, AKHMEDOV Ali (KAZ) was so strong than his opponent JAFOEV Navruz (TJK) that he finished the match when there was almost half time left in round 2.

After all the bouts, Tajikistan delegation won the Champion of team events, by winning 7 gold medals, 9 silver and 7 bronze medals, followed by Kazakhstan with 3 gold medals,1 silver and 2 bronze medels, and Kyrgyzstan with I gold medal, 1 silver and bronze medals. AUSF President Mr. Xinsheng ZHANG presented the Golden Cup to Head of Tajikistan team Mr. Shodi SAFAROV.

Grand Closing Ceremony!

The Closing Ceremony started at 19:00 with the marching of referee team, followed by the 9 participating teams. The audiences stood up, cheered, and gave them a big applause when the teams entering into the venue. Minister of Tajikistan Education and Science Mr. Nuriddin SAID made a speech to thank all the participants to this championship and praised the athletes as the true heroes on the stage. He also thanked AUSF for authorized this championship to Tajikistan. He said sport was the bridge to connect the world and he hoped that Tajikistan could host more international competitions in the future.

AUSF President Mr. Xinsheng ZHANG first extended his genuine gratitude to Tajikistan, especially for the dedication and commitment of Tajikistan Education and Science and Tajikistan Committee of Youth Affairs, Sports and Tourism and congratulated the Organizing Committee for such a wonderful event. It was the first international university championship in Tajikistan and the first boxing championship of AUSF . He said, all the students athletes, teachers, coaches and referees were the real ambassadors of Tajikistan, and left the audience with a great impression. He highly praised that Tajikistan and central Asia was playing a more and more active role in AUSF and FISU events.

After the speech, Mr. Xinsheng ZHANG presented a special and meaningful gift to the Organizing Committee and for the celebration of 25^th Anniversary of Independence of Tajikistan. In return, the Organizing Committee also prepared gift for every guest from AUSF. In the following, Mr. Shodi SAFAROV declared the ending of the Closing Ceremony. With the traditional music and dancing of Tajikistan, the 1^st Asian University Boxing Championship concluded successfully.

For more information, please visit www. ausf. org.

(Source: AUSF Secretariat)