Iraq sends five boxers to Almaty international championship

BAGHDAD, Iraq — Iraq's national boxing team will compete in the Almaty Boxing Championship in Kazakhstan with five athletes, Iraqi Boxing Federation President Ali Taqtit said in remarks to local media. The tournament, which serves as preparation for the Asian Games, opens on the 20th and is drawing boxers from countries across Asia and Europe. Iraq's five-member squad includes Muhaimin Ali Taqtit and Abbas Qasim at 55 kilograms, Muhammad Anwar and Muhammad Sitar at 60 kilograms, and Ali Qasim at 65 kilograms. National team coach Darkhan Diyossembikov, a Kazakh, said the boxers had shown progress during their training camp and welcomed the improvement in their performance. Taqtit added that the federation would continue preparing its athletes for international competitions despite severe financial difficulties. No further details on the federation's funding situation were immediately available.