The boxing tournament of the 26th edition of the Southeast Asian Games opened with eleven male contests in Palembang, Indonesia, where the Top4 places were up for the grabs.
In the opening contest of the Games, Myanmar's 24-year-old newly crowned National Champion Wai Phyo Tun eliminated Timor's Asian Games competitor Abilio Orlando Dos Santos by large margin of points. The boxer of the Ministry of Home Affairs advanced to the Light Flyweight semi-final and secured the first boxing medal for Myanmar.
Thailand's Light Flyweight favourite, AIBA World Championships quarter-finalist and Asian Champion veteran Kaew Pongprayoon has already qualified for the London Olympic Games. He has opened with a close fought victory over Malaysia's 20-year-old Arafura Games winner Mohamed Fuad Mohamed Redzuan.
Philippines' youngest team member, Sydney Jackson Memorial Tournament winner Mark Anthony Barriga is the only Filipino boxer to have already secured a place at the London Olympic Games; however the teenager was unexpectedly defeated by Indonesia's veteran Denis Hitarihun
Vietnam's newly crowned National Champion Huynh Ngoc Tan became the fourth boxer to achieve at least a bronze medal in the Light Flyweight division after winning his opening contest against Laos' 21-year-old Bounpone Latsavongsy.
Vietnam's top male boxer, 23-year-old President's Cup silver medallist Nguyen Van Hai returned to Indonesia and ensured a career highlight. The Vietnamese Flyweight star stopped Timor's Asian Games competitor Artemio Da Conceicao in Palembang and will now meet Indonesia's favourite Julio Bria.
Cambodia's Asian Games competitor Ratha Svay was bronze medallist at the last edition of the event and it is already sure to win at least another one in Palembang. The Light Welterweight boxer eliminated Timor's Henrique Martins Borges while Indonesia's Afdan Bachtila triumphed over Laos' Addy Sivongsack in the same weight division.
Timor's Welterweight No.1 Elio Jenoveva Da Silva defeated Cambodia's Hin Say Heng who was member of the 'AIBA Road to Milan Program' two years ago. In the same weight class, Vietnam's 21-year-old two-time National Champion Truong Ding Hoang furthered his international experience at the last edition of the Games in Guangzhou and it showed this time around as he beat Laos' veteran Keointa Sathit.
Thailand's defending Southeast Asian Games Champion Apichet Saensit has competed in three AIBA World Championships since 2005 and travelled to Palembang with the aim to be crowned again. His first opponent was his main rival for the gold medal, Philippines' most experienced team member Delfin Boholst, but Saensit was too good as he advanced to the semi-finals.
The Middleweight quarter-final between Indonesia's World Military Games competitor Alex Tatontos and Vietnam's great prospect Vuong Dinh Cuong saw the older local fighter showcase his best in defeating his young Vietnamese opponent.
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