The day of surprises amazed the crowd in the Emil Jechev Youth & Junior Memorial Tournament
04 April 2019The third competition day of the Emil Jechev Youth & Junior Memorial Tournament was taking place in Botevgrad, Bulgaria where three sessions were in the official program. Northern Macedonia’s Ardian Azemi, Sweden’s Hampus Broman and Bulgaria’s dup Rumen Rumenov and Kosta Simeonov all won their contest surprisingly on Day3.
The tournament is dedicated to Mr. Emil Jechev the former President of the European Boxing Association and AIBA Vice-President. Mr. Academician Prof. Emil Zhechev passed away in Sofia in July 2015 at the age of 88. Mr. Academician Prof. Emil Zhechev devoted his whole life to serve Bulgaria’s and the world’s boxing life. He had an outstanding reputation in the International Olympic Committee (IOC), International Boxing Association (AIBA) and all of the regional sport associations in Europe and in Bulgaria.
Eighteen countries from three Confederations arrived to compete in the Emil Jechev Youth & Junior Memorial Tournament including Russia, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, United States of America, India, Brazil, France and Romania. The total number of boxers in the event is 166 and the young hopes are able to attend in 13 junior and 10 youth weight classes.
Bout of the day
Bulgaria’s neighbouring country Northern Macedonia, which is the new official name of the previously known Former Yugoslav Republic of Macedonia, has been attending in their international tournaments and their cooperation is a good exemplar for others. Northern Macedonia is a developing boxing country but one of their juniors reached the top European level and impressed also in the Emil Jechev Memorial Tournament.
Ardian Azemi, who attended in the last edition of the EUBC European Confederation Junior Boxing Championships in Anapa, eliminated Bulgaria’s Martin Bebov on Day2 and continued his winning path in the next session. The North Macedonian heavyweight (+80kg) talent had to face with Kazakhstan’s Junior National Champion Balashak Meyram in the next stage and surprisingly he was able to control his bout against the Central Asian athlete. Azemi’s triumph was Northern Macedonia’s first ever triumph against a Kazakh boxer.
Surprises of the day
Bulgaria’s Rumen Rumenov is a talented boxer but his opponent was Kazakhstan’s Junior National Champion and winner of various international tournaments Adilzhan Zhandarbek at the light welterweight (63kg). Rumenov delivered his best ever performance and eliminated his favourite opponent winning the bout by split decision. His teammate Kosta Simeonov has done the same strong surprise against another Kazakh athlete Madi Amirov which was a key bout at the junior middleweight (75kg).
In the day of the surprises Sweden’s Hampus Broman became the next hero in Botevgrad where following his first success his skills were enough to eliminate Russia’s Chezrav Ashalayev at the youth light welterweight (64kg). Broman advanced to the last four, he is not at least bronze medallist and a success against a Russian boxer was his biggest scalp during his career.
Team of the day
The French youth team performed strongly in the Danas Pozniakas Youth Tournament in Vilnius last month and their next competition is the Emil Jechev Memorial Tournament. EUBC European Confederation Youth Boxing Championships bronze medallist Ibrahim Boukedim was too smart for Russia’s Danil Urbanovich in their flyweight (52kg) contest. His teammate Hugo Grau eliminated Croatia’s Diego Mamic at the lightweight (60kg) following Boukedim’s success. The third big French triumph on Day3 was delivered by another EUBC European Confederation Youth Boxing Championships bronze medallist Wilfried Florentin who used his superb power to beat United States’ Michael Hudson at the heavyweight (91kg) in Botevgrad.
The Round-up
Kazakhstan’s newly crowned Junior National Champion Bekzat Aldazharov shocked India’s No.1 Keisham Sanjit Singh on Day2 which was a surprise in Botevgrad. The Kazakh pinweight (46kg) boxer did not have time to relax after that victory and had to meet with Bulgaria’s Pavel Dimitrov in the third competition day. Aldazharov bowed out the Bulgarian from his way to the gold medal and remained his chance alive to win the category.
Bulgaria’s two-time EUBC European Confederation Youth Boxing Championships silver medallist Yasen Radev was strong enough in the Danas Pozniakas Youth Tournament and he performed successfully against Romania’s Mustafa Aurel Curt in Botevgrad. In another key youth flyweight (52kg) bout United States’ Jamal Harvey eliminated the main gold medal contender Brazil’s Luiz De Oliveira winning the bout by unanimous decision.
Netherlands sent two youth boxers to the Emil Jechev Memorial Tournament and following their Day3 successes both advanced to the semi-finals. Brian Vossen found his best rhythm still in time against Italy’s Constantin Ilas Remus at the light welterweight (64kg). His compatriot Gradus Kraus eliminated his second top rival Bulgaria’s Yoan Asenov at the welterweight (69kg).
