Great Silk Way: Azerbaijan national team finishes first with 21 medals

The winners of the traditional Great Silk Way International Boxing Tournament among men and women have been determined in Baku. Over six days of competition, 126 athletes from 10 countries tested their strength.

Held at the Baku Boxing Center, the tournament proved highly successful for the Azerbaijan national team. In the first bout of today’s final session, Subhan Mamedov (50 kg) faced his teammate Bilalhabashi Nazarov. The fight ended with a 5:0 victory (29:28, 30:27, 29:28, 29:28, 29:28) for the world champion.

This was followed by several all-Azerbaijani finals. Amin Mammadzade (55 kg) defeated Zalimkhan Suleymanov to claim gold. Tayfur Aliyev (60 kg) overcame Mahammadali Ashiraliyev, while Malik Hasanov (65 kg) triumphed over Zaur Gahramanov.

In the 90 kg category, Surat Garayev defeated Joshua Heske (Australia) 3:2 (30:27, 28:29, 28:29, 29:28, 29:28). Mahammad Abdullayev (+90 kg) continued the team’s success, beating Alexander Shaw (Australia) 3:2 (29:28, 29:28, 27:30, 30:27, 27:30) to become the strongest in his weight class.

Among other Azerbaijani boxers, Seyid Seyidov (80 kg) won silver, while Zidan Humbatov (55 kg), Mahammadali Gasimzade (60 kg), Sarkhan Aliyev (70 kg), Saidjamshid Jafarov and Rasim Chobanli (both 75 kg), Hasan Osmanli (80 kg), Murad Allahverdiyev (85 kg), Sabuhi Alizade (+90 kg), Gunel Rahimova (51 kg), and Emili Rzayeva (65 kg) secured bronze medals.

With a total of 21 medals — 6 gold, 5 silver, and 10 bronze — Azerbaijan ranked first in the team standings and claimed the Great Silk Way Cup. Kazakhstan (3 gold, 5 silver, 7 bronze) finished second, while Turkey (3 gold, 0 silver, 3 bronze) completed the top three.

Bakbergen Aliaskarov (Kazakhstan) was named the best boxer of the tournament, while Rashid Benaicha (Algeria) received the award for best referee.