The 68th István Bocskai István International Memorial Tournament is the first event of the Hungarian Boxing Federation in the year 2024. The event takes place between 14 and 21 January in Debrecen, which is both a center and a regional base for Hungarian boxing. A total of 68 women and 95 men from two continents have entered this year’s Bocskai Memorial Tournament, which also features Olympic, world and European champions.
Ukraine has traditionally been one of the strongest nations in Europe and its boxers are regular participants in the Bocskai Memorial Tournament. At the Debrecen event, Ukrainian world champion Yuriy Zahariev has been the tournament’s top male boxer for the last two times. After 2022 and 2023, Zahariev will again be aiming for gold at the Bocskai Memorial and is the most experienced 71kg boxer in the field. Another Ukrainian gem, Olympic silver medalist and world and European champion Oleksandr Hiznyak (80kg) will also be in the Bocskai field this year.
Kazakhstan is also a regular participant in the Bocskai Memorial Tournament, this time with men represented in Debrecen. The backbone of the team is made up of young U22 boxers, many of whom have excelled at the World Youth Championships and the Asian Youth Championships. Sabirzhan Akkalilov (71kg) was world junior champion in 2021, while Bijbars Zyksen (60kg), Dias Molzhigitov (75kg), Yerassil Zakhpekov (80kg), Temirlan Mukataev (86kg) and Damir Tojbay (+92kg) reached the top in Asia as juniors or youngsters.
Mongolia is also one of the strong Asian nations, with two of their boxers already qualified for the Olympics and medals at recent world championships. Their women’s team has improved a lot, with Paris Olympian Yesugen Oyuntsetseg (50kg) and World and Asian medalists. The men’s team will see the return of Rio Olympian Gan-Erdene Gankhuyag (51kg).
Poland’s women’s team is always very strong, and they will also be fielding their best players in the Bocskai Memorial Tournament. European silver medalist Aneta Rygielska (66kg), multiple European silver medalist and Tokyo Olympian Elzbieta Wojcik (75kg) and European Games silver medalist Sandra Drabik (54kg) will also be in the Bocskai field. Natalia Rok (50kg) and 20-year-old talent Julia Szeremeta (57kg) will also represent quality in the competition.
The 100th national adult championship was a very important event for Hungarian boxers, with several weight classes producing surprises, so the Ob silver medalists will be preparing for the rematches at the Bocskai Memorial Tournament.
Among those absent from the national championships, Hungarian national team member since 2014 and Bocskain silver medalist Szabina Szűcs is also planning her return, having undergone a very serious strength work following her surgery to be ready for the Debrecen event. In the women’s field, Tímea Nagy, who ended her career with the Hungarian adult title at the end of last year, will not compete after a long absence.
The men’s 51kg and the 57kg will be very exciting, the tournament decides who will represent Hungary at the World Qualification Tournament. In the former, a rematch between István Szaka and Attila Bernáth is expected, while in the latter, a rematch between Roland Veres, the European bronze medalist, and Valentin Koloszár. The already Paris Olympian Richárd Kovács (63.5kg) will also be in the tournament, as will all the Hungarian adult champions.
The venue of the 68th Bocskai Memorial Tournament will be the Oláh Gábor Street Sports Hall.
Program:
16 January, 14:00 – Official opening ceremony
16 January, 14:15 – First day of competition
17 January, 14:00 – Second day of competition
18 January, 14:00 – Third day of competition
19 January, 13:00 – Fourth day (men’s semi-finals, women’s finals)
20 January, 14:00 – Day 5 (men’s finals)
21 January – Departure for home
