For a first edition, participation was quite remarkable which gives a token of boxing’s promising future in FISU.
The first World University Boxing Championship took place last November in the Turkish town of Antalya. These games were not initially scheduled in our 2004 championship programme and were assigned late on the insistence of the International Amateur Boxing Association (AIBA) that is anxious to promote the sport at university level. The file was really a very solid one, encouraging the Turkish Federation of University Sports, which, as you know, is organising the next Universiade, to back it. The FISU Executive Committee decided to make an exception to the rule for attributing championship venues and accepted Antalya’s application for this first World University Boxing Championship.
Consequently, from 22 to 29 November, 129 boxers from 27 countries met in western Turkey, in the lovely seaside town of Antalya for the inaugural tournament. This is quite a remarkable figure for a first addition, and gives a token of boxing’s promising future in FISU. In fact, many countries have already applied to host future editions.
The presence of Mr. Anwar Chodhry, President of AIBA and Mr. Doganeli, the Secretary General, for the entire championship games was an additional demonstration of the importance given to this event for promoting boxing on an international scale. Mr. Doganeli himself welcomed the delegations at the first meeting of the International Control and Arbitration Supervisory Committee (CISACA).
He thanked the delegations for being present and insisted on the need to apply FISU rules strictly during this event. Mr. Jasnic, representative of the FISU Executive Committee then took the floor to congratulate the organisers and thank them for the excellent job they did on short notice. He underlined the importance of good collaboration between FISU and AIBA, which is the best guarantee of subsequent university boxing Championships to be organised in the future. Finally, he particularly thanked Mr. Kemal Tamer and Mr. Nihat Doker, respectively President and Secretary General of the Turkish University Sports Federation.
The drawing of lots to assign the boxers to their groups ended the first meeting. After a series of preliminary matches, participants were invited to attend the Opening Ceremony. In his welcoming address, Mr. Kemal Tamer was pleased to praise the drive of his Federation that organised four championships in 2004: sailing, bridge, chest and finally boxing. In addition, Turkey will be organising the next Universiade. Mr. Tamer reaffirmed the Federation’s determination to play an increasingly active role in FISU. Mr. Jasnic then took the floor. He greeted all participants and thanked Mr. Anwar Chodhry, AIBA President for attending the ceremony. Finally he invited the Vice-Governor of Antalya to officially open this first World University Boxing Championship. When the FISU flag had been hoisted, the cultural programme began, offering the athletes a show of traditional Turkish dances.
From a strictly athletic standpoint, several positive aspects can be underlined. First, and this is sufficiently unusual to be stressed, there were no injuries. This proves that AIBA’s determination to promote safety rules has been successful. The level of participation was also excellent. Many countries shared the gold medals, with especially good results for Turkey, Ukraine, Russia and Uzbekistan.