Uzbekistan secures several spots in the World Boxing Championship semifinals

Tashkent, Uzbekistan (UzDaily.com) — The quarterfinals of the World Boxing Championship concluded, bringing both disappointing defeats and impressive victories for the Uzbekistan national team.

In the women’s tournament, several athletes fell just short of the medals. Nigina Uktamova (54 kg) narrowly lost to American Joselin Perez, 2:3. Sitora Turdibekova (60 kg) was defeated by Kazakhstan’s Viktoriya Grafeeva, 1:4, while Oltina Sotimboeva (over 80 kg) lost to India’s Nupur, 1:4. Khumorabonu Mamadjonova (57 kg) also failed to advance, losing 0:5 to India’s Jasmin.

Among the men, Mirazizbek Mirzakhalilov (55 kg) was edged out by Ireland’s Tadh Joys, 2:3, and Shavkatzhon Boltaev (70 kg) lost 0:5 to Jordan’s Zeyad Eshash.

However, other Uzbek boxers delivered outstanding performances. Javohir Ummataliyev (80 kg) convincingly defeated Kazakhstan’s Nurbek Oralbay, 5:0, while To‘rabek Khabibullaev (90 kg) won by the same score against another Kazakh, Sagindik Togambay.

Semifinal spots were also secured by Feruza Kazakova (51 kg), who dominated Mongolia’s Mungunsaran Balsan, 5:0, and Navbahor Hamidova (65 kg), who defeated home favorite Sachu Hickey, 4:1.

Abdumalik Khalokov (60 kg) delivered one of the best bouts of the day, defeating Kazakhstan’s Bibars Zheksen 5:0. Confident victories were also claimed by Asadhuja Muydinhujaev (65 kg) over Kazakhstan’s Ertugan Zeynulino, 5:0; Fazliddin Erkinboev (75 kg) over Belgium’s Hamza Sriri, 5:0; and Jahongir Zokirov (over 90 kg), who left Norway’s Omar Shikhani with no chance, 5:0.