After a stunning opening ceremony full of pomp and splendor the 2nd AIBA Asian Olympic Qualification Tournament started on Monday in Astana, Kazakhstan with more than 100 masters of the boxing glove from 23 countries joining in battle for 19 tickets to the Beijing Olympic Games.

Of the 13 bouts on the opening day, two boxers each from Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan collected victories while the hosts Kazakhstan, Taipei, Korea, the Philippines, Turkmenistan, India and Syria all recorded one win a piece.

A total of 17 preliminary bouts will take place on Tuesday.