War disrupts Armenia’s plans: only three boxers reach Bangkok for the 2026 Youth Olympic qualifiers

The Armenian youth boxing team, led by head coach Karen Aghamalyan, has arrived in Bangkok, Thailand, where it will participate in the international FUTURES CUP U19 tournament. The event is a ranking competition and serves as a mandatory qualification stage for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in Dakar.

Initially, the Armenian team planned to compete in all five Olympic weight categories to fight for the maximum number of qualification spots for the Games. However, due to the war in Iran, the team faced serious logistical problems.

Previously purchased airline tickets on the Yerevan – Dubai – Bangkok route were cancelled. As a result, only three out of five athletes managed to reach the tournament venue.

According to the Armenian Boxing Federation, thanks to the personal connections and financial support of federation president Hovhannes Hovsepyan, only four tickets were secured via an alternative route Yerevan – Moscow – Bangkok. In this situation, the coaching staff had to make a difficult decision and send three reigning European champions along with the head coach.

50 kg — Tigran Kirakosyan
60 kg — Karen Zakharyan
65 kg — Suren Katvalyan

Thus, the Armenian team will not be able to compete for Olympic qualification spots in two weight categories, automatically eliminating the country’s chances of earning quotas for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games in those divisions.

First bouts of the Armenian boxers

50 kg, Round of 32 (March 8)
Tigran Kirakosyan (Armenia) — Abdurghan Yorkindjonov (Uzbekistan)

60 kg, Round of 32 (March 8)
Karen Zakharyan (Armenia) — Adham El-Sharqawi (Egypt)

65 kg, Round of 16 (March 11)
Suren Katvalyan (Armenia) — Denzel Siballam (Mauritius) / Ryan Altayar (Saudi Arabia)

FUTURES CUP schedule

March 8–11 — preliminary bouts
March 12–13 — quarterfinals
March 14 — semifinals
March 15 — finals

The tournament begins on March 8, while the medal bouts will take place on March 15. Armenian boxers will try to make the most of their opportunity and secure qualification spots for the most important youth sporting event of the four-year cycle.

Where to Watch the FUTURES CUP U19 Boxing Tournament — Live Stream