Close contests and commanding performances mark Session 8 at the Asian Games

The evening session on Day 4 of boxing at the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya delivered a combination of closely contested decisions and commanding victories as the Round of 16 continued at Nishio Gymnasium.

Vietnam’s Nguyen Thi Tam opened Session 8 with a 4-1 victory over Chinese Taipei’s Guo Yi-xuan in the Women’s 51kg division, while Korea’s Bak Chorong secured a unanimous 5-0 decision over Saudi Arabia’s Yara Gethan G Alamri.

Japan’s Nishinaka Yuna produced a strong performance in front of the home crowd, defeating Tajikistan’s Fariza Yoqubova 5-0 to advance.

One of the closest contests of the session followed as Kazakhstan’s Alua Balkibekova edged India’s Sakshi by split decision, 3-2, to secure her place in the next round.

The Women’s 65kg division saw Uzbekistan’s Navbakhor Khamidova record a 5-0 victory over Korea’s Seon Sujin, while India’s Parveen advanced by walkover against Tajikistan’s Malika Nozimova. China’s Li Shu also progressed in convincing fashion with a unanimous 5-0 victory over Nepal’s Kusum Tamang.

Attention then turned to the Men’s 70kg division, where Japan’s Sewonrets Quincy Mensah Okazawa delivered a 5-0 victory over the Philippines’ Norlan Petecio.

Kyrgyzstan’s Ikhtiiar Nishonov became the only boxer of the session to record a stoppage, defeating Sri Lanka’s Lahiru Lakmal Chandrabandara when the referee stopped the contest 36 seconds into the third round.

Tajikistan’s Shamsher Saidov continued his campaign with a unanimous 5-0 victory over Bahrain’s Aly Abdalla following a high-paced bout.

The final bout of Session 8 produced another close decision, with Jordan’s Zeyad Eashash defeating Palestine’s Mohammed Issa 3-2 to advance from the Round of 16.

Competition continues at Nishio Gymnasium as the field narrows and boxers move closer to the medal stages of the Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya.