On the threshold of the Rio Olympics in 2016 and as athletes vied for slots at the World Series of Boxing (WSB), Astana Arlans Head Coach Marat Dzhakiyev stated that the team’s ultimate goal is to “be useful to the country.” The comment was part of a recent interview released by the club’s press service in conjunction with the final roster for the fifth season.
“Anyone who understands boxing knows the importance of the forthcoming matches for the Arlans. We just talked about it while finalising the roster. There were arguments regarding some candidates, no doubt, but opinions of respected people were considered when they were making their decisions,” said Dhzakiyev. “The team is my top priority, but I want my work to help [my] country. Together with the coach’s headquarters we will determine the work ahead of us.”
The Arlans had an impressive debut season in 2011, when the new team reached the finals before losing to Paris United. The following year, the club lost to Dynamo Moscow in the semis. In season three Arlans managed to put on a show in a thrilling finale against the Ukraine Otamans and snatched the team’s champion title. Last year, the team reached the semis, but lost to the Baku Fires. This season the team is again hopeful of bringing home the champion’s title.
Astana Arlans roster for the 2015 season:
49 kilogramme category
Mardan Berikbayev, Temirtas Zhusupov, Yerzhan Zhomart
52 kilogramme category
Miras Zhakupov, Olzhas Sattybayev, Azamat Isakulov
56 kilogramme category
Madi Shulakov, Meirbolat Toitov, Nursultan Koshegulov
60 kilogramme category
Yerzhan Musafirov, Roman Shegrinov, Zakir Safiullin
64 kilogramme category
Askhat Ualikhanov, Samat Bashenov, Bekbolat Kuramyssov
69 kilogramme category
Daniyar Yeleussinov, Madiyar Ashkeyev, Aslanbek Shymbergenov, Kanagat Maralov
75 kilogramme category
Zhanibek Alimkhanuly, Meiyirim Nursultanov, Aidos Yerbossynuly.
81 kilogramme category
Hrvoje Sep, Ali Akhmedov, Nurdaulet Zharmanov
91 kilogramme category
Vasily Levit, Almat Serimov
91+ kilogramme category
Ivan Dychko, Ruslan Myrsatayev, Filip Hrgovic
