Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Bulgaria, England, USA, and Kosovo earned titles at the Strandja this year

Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Ukraine, Bulgaria, England, United States of America and Kosovo shared the gold medals at the 77th Strandja Trophy Tournament in Sofia.

Uzbekistan became the best team ahead of Kazakhstan and Ukraine in the event while Bulgaria’s duo, Zlatislava Chukanova and Radoslav Rosenov earned the best trophies.

Following Zlatislava Chukanova’s success, Kazakhstan’s new 54kg star, Elina Bazarova, who has 145 bouts in total, claimed a gold medal at the 2022 Youth World Boxing Championships. The Kazakh gained the control in the first round against another U23 opponent, England’s Lauren Mackie and her excellent technical skills guaranteed a gold medal.

Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova and her neighbour, Kazakhstan’s Laura Yessenkeldi advanced to the finals of the women’s 65kg. The 25-year-old Olympian Uzbek used her well-built strategy against the Kazakh southpaw and

Uzbekistan’s Oltinoy Sotimboyeva and Kazakhstan’s Valeriya Aksenova joined the finals of the women’s +80kg. The Kazakh tried to stop the Uzbek attacks with body punches and she worked well enough in the last round to win this female title contest.

Bulgaria’s Radoslav Rosenov and Brazil’s World silver finisher Luiz Gabriel Oliveira have the same counter-attacking style of boxing. The Brazilian moved forward more in this 60kg final bout in comparison to his previous contests in Sofia but Rosenov had the brilliant footwork to avoid his attacks.

Uzbekistan’s defending World Champion Fazliddin Erkinboyev and Bulgaria’s European Champion Rami Kiwan met in an anticipated final at the men’s 75kg. The Bulgarian tried to work from longer distance but the 20-year-old Uzbek caught him with body shots and jabs in the corner. Erkinboyev had a massive advantage on the scorecards after two rounds and he did not make any risks in the third to earn the gold medal in Sofia.

Uzbekistan’s World Champions such as Akmaljon Isroilov and Turabek Khabibullayev both won the gold medals in their weight categories in Sofia.