DUSHANBE, February 4, Asia-Plus — Another two Tajik athletes have qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, bringing a total number of Tajik athletes to participate in the 2008 Olympic Games to five.
Sayfullo Habibov, the chairman of the Somonsport Public Association, told Asia-Plus that two Tajik boxers, Anvar Yunusov and Jahon Qurbonov, won the 1st Asia Olympic Tournament in Bangkok, Thailand, finishing first in -51 kg and -81 kg categories respectively.
The 1st Asian Olympic Qualifying Tournament took place in
Bangkok, Thailand from January 25 to February 2, 2008, and 141 boxers from 28 countries chased 19 Olympic qualifying spots over 10 weight categories, from 48 kg to 91 kg. The Olympic qualifying tournament was conducted in accordance with AIBA Competition Rules (4 rounds of 2 minutes and 1 minute rest between rounds).
The gold and silver medalists in nine divisions – gold only in 91kg and no Olympic tickets on offer in +91kg – qualified for the Beijing Olympic Games
The 2nd and the final Qualifying Tournament will be in Astana, Kazakhstan (President’s Cup)
We will recall that three Tajik athletes, including Dilshod Nazarov (hammer throwing), Rasoul Boqiyev (judo) and Yusuf Abdusalomov (free-style wrestling), have also qualified for the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
In the meantime, speaking in an interview with Asia-Plus, Maliksho Nematov, head of the Committee for Sports, Youth Affairs and Tourism, expressed hope that at least thirteen Tajik athletes would qualify for the Beijing Olympic Games.
