Today was the last chance to qualify for the finals at the muaythai World University Championships with semi-finals in men’s and women’s divisions. Tears of joy and sadness along with some of the most exciting muaythai match-ups of the tournament.
There were 12 bouts today, with students from more than 20 different universities around the world taking part.
Among the highlights was the battle at 57kg between Kazakhstan’s Almaz Sarsembekov and Mark Valovich from Russia. It was 19-19 after two rounds, with both powering in the “teep” and following with swift hands without pause. Mark – representing the National Sports Lesgaft University – took the win with a last-gasp effort, leaving Almaz – for the Sh. Ualikhanov Kokshetau State University – devastated.
The 60kg women’s division was also set today with Israel’s Nili Block representing IDC Defence University defeating her Thai opponent Keinee Tabtrai convincingly. She will face Spain’s Alejandra Romero representing the Complutense University of Madrid who also had a clear win today against Chengay Labfas from The Philipppines.
Ali Dogan (Turkey) had a hard bout against Hungary’s Zoltan Nardelotti, going though on points at 81kgs. He faces Nikita Shostak, Belarus in the final. Nikita was also having a tough semi against French student Bilal Chareuf when Bilal got a foot injury and had to withdraw in the third round.
Nikita’s fellow Belarus student Nick Svedomsky is also through, as is Maksim Petkevich who defeated Abil Galiyev (Kazakhstan) at 63.5kgs.
In the other 63.5kgs Russia’s Pavel Valteran faced Natee Chanates (Thailand) in a close bout with the Thai student taking a win on points for the Physical Education Institute.
See full results here on IFMA muaythai Or on the WUC Muaythai website.
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