Kazakh boxing world champion to miss Asian Games: what happened

In the final months before the Asian Games, a scandal was brewing around the men’s national team lineup. On social media, there was speculation that the decision on who would go to the Games in the under-70-kilogram category had been made under pressure.

Kazakhstan’s national team faced a unique situation in this weight class: two reigning world champions from different organizations were competing for one spot. Experienced boxer Ablaikhan Zhussupov won the IBA tournament, while young Torekhan Sabyrkhan won under World Boxing.

In the end, the coaching staff chose Torekhan.

“The full lineup was determined by the two head coaches — of both the men’s and women’s teams. There was no interference from the regions, no pressure from the ministry or the federation. The contenders for the Asian Games were chosen solely based on their sporting qualities.

If we talk, for example, about 70 kilograms, the Asian Games are not the end. Next year, we have the World Championships. Then there is the Asian qualification and two more qualifiers before the Olympic Games — roughly speaking, four major starts. So nothing ends with the Asian Games,” KBF Executive Director Rauan Igenev told our correspondent.

We reached out to Ablaikhan Zhussupov for comment on the selection. The boxer says there was no selection process as such, but he has no complaints about the coaching staff.

“There was no selection process; the coaching staff and management decided on the lineup. There are no complaints here and there cannot be any. Because whoever is selected, the honor of the country is at stake. I think our guys will perform with dignity,” the champion told our correspondent.

Kazakhstan boxing team lineup for the Asian Games

Men

• under 55 kilograms – Makhmud Sabyrkhan;
• under 60 kilograms – Orazbek Assylkulov;
• under 70 kilograms – Torekhan Sabyrkhan;
• under 80 kilograms – Sabyrzhan Akkalykov;
• under 90 kilograms – Nurbek Oralbay;
• over 90 kilograms – Aibek Oralbay.

Head coach – Nurzhan Nasanov.

Women

• under 51 kilograms – Alua Balkibekova;
• under 54 kilograms – Nazym Kyzaybay;
• under 60 kilograms – Viktoria Grafeeva;
• under 65 kilograms – Aida Abikeyeva;
• under 75 kilograms – Natalya Bogdanova.

Head coach – Eldos Saidalin.

As a reminder, the Asian Games will be held in Japan from September 19 to October 4.