The “Heydar Aliyev Cup 2026” international boxing tournament among boys and girls under the age of 17 has kicked off in Baku. A total of 19 bouts were held on the opening day of the competition, which features athletes from eight countries.

Eight members of the Azerbaijani national team began the tournament with victories at the Baku Boxing Center. Representing Azerbaijan, Nihad Mammadli (48 kg) defeated his teammate Almurad Karimli (5:0), Amid Alakbarov (63 kg) overcame Ismayil Aslanli (3:2), while Mahammad Rustamov (63 kg) beat Amin Hasanzada (4:1).

Ismayil Nasirzade (52 kg) defeated Matvey Shumyakov of Estonia (5:0), Mirtahir Ahmadli (52 kg) earned a 4:1 victory over Zhalgas Abdrashov of Kazakhstan, Ali Jamalzade (57 kg) beat Islam Orujov of Kazakhstan (4:1), Ibrahim Badalli (57 kg) defeated Abrorbek Tengelov of Uzbekistan (5:0), and Ziraddin Rustamov (80 kg) overcame Nurislam Amankeldin of Kazakhstan (3:2).

A total of 29 bouts will take place on the second day of the tournament.

Alongside Azerbaijan, national teams from Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan, Georgia, Latvia, Estonia, and Moldova, as well as a team of neutral athletes, are competing in the event. The tournament features 185 boxers, with winners to be determined in 14 weight categories for boys and 9 for girls. The finals of the “Heydar Aliyev Cup 2026” will be held on May 7.