Japan’s Fuma Kumamoto, Algeria’s Amine Zenaz, Montenegro’s Danilo Markovic and Albania’s Ahmed Koci all advanced to the elite finals at the 24th edition of the Mustafa Hajrulahovic Talijan Memorial Tournament in Sarajevo, Bosnia & Herzegovina on Day2.
Bosnia & Herzegovina’s next international event gives the opportunity for the elite and U19 boxers to prepare well for the upcoming major championships.
The bout of the day
Japan’s Fuma Kumamoto had strong years in 2023 and in 2024 as an U19 boxer and he received the right for the very first time to represent his nation in an elite international event. The 20-year-old athlete had an honest fight against Algeria’s Mohamed Abbas who claimed a silver medal at the recent Golden Belt Tournament. Kumamoto shared his energies well among the three rounds and he eliminated one of the experienced Algerians in Sarajevo winning the bout by 4:1 split decision.
The surprise of the day
Kosovo’s Bashkim Bajoku earned several tournament titles and medals in various competitions and he was named as a favourite in Sarajevo once again. The Kosovan showed his power in the first round against Algeria’s Amine Zenaz but his North African opponent turned back their contest and his stamina was a decision-making difference in their 55kg semi-final.
The Round-Up
Italy’s Tommaso Orlando eliminated his main rival at the 55kg on Day1 and the European U19 silver medallist continued his winning path in Sarajevo during the semi-finals. The 18-year-old Italian overcame Albania’s Ardit Deliu in the attacks and he secured his spot in the final where his next rival will be a Kosovan talent, Riad Isufi. Italy’s next flag bearers in the U19 part of the tournament were Daniele Fabi and Matteo De Micco on Day2.
Montenegro’s Vuk Dabovic had a tight bout against Italy’s Giuseppe Cavallo at the 65kg weight class which was one of the big battles among the U19 bouts. Following his split decision success, another young talent from Montenegro, the European U17 Champion Matija Roganovic shined in the second competition day. The 17-year-old boxer had a remarkable and successful battle against Croatia’s Niko Goreta in the 85kg weight class.
North Macedonia’s Alen Rustemovski competed in all levels of boxing in the recent years including European Boxing Championships as well. The North Macedonian No.1 had a tough opponent as first in Sarajevo, Algeria’s Mouatez Bechagra who has been preparing for the upcoming Mediterranean Games. Rustemovski found the best fighting range earlier than the young Algerian and he won their semi-final meeting at the men’s 60kg weight class.
Japan’s Shudai Harada qualified for Paris Olympics with his unexpected silver medal from the 2023 Asian Games and the 25-year-old boxer returned to the national squad after a short break. Harada dictated the tempo against Bosnia & Herzegovina’s Mihajlo Djekic and he controlled all of the three rounds with his superior technical skills.
Montenegro’s Danilo Markovic has just joined to elite age group following his participation in the previous European U19 Boxing Championships. The 19-year-old Montenegrin was too strong for Afghanistan’s Sartaj Wali Ebrahimi and the referee stopped their contest in the second round. Markovic will be boxing for the gold medal of the elite men’s 65kg weight category with Algeria’s Mohamed Walid Allaoui.
Albania’s Ahmed Koci is a 19-year-old talent at the men’s 80kg weight class and he competed in the last European U19 Boxing Championships as well. The Albanian teenager eliminated Lithuania’s Arvydas Dainys in the first semi-final therefore he will now meet Algeria’s Moustafa Abdou for the gold medal. Kosovo’s Taulant Jakupi, Afghanistan’s Silab Noori and Nigeria’s Kenneth Anigboro were the next winners of the session.