▪️Mwanza proves raw talent alone can take a determined boxer places
September 12, 2026
Despite lacking international exposure and modern training facilities, Zambian boxers delivered an impressive show in grit and natural brilliance, finishing as the top-ranked African nation at the Eurasian Daurian International Youth Boxing Tournament in Chita, Russia.
The under-and-outfitted squad punched well above their weight, securing two podium finishes.
Emerging flyweight prodigy Dennis Mwanza captured a stunning gold medal, while bantamweight Clement Zulu fought his way to a hard-earned bronze.
Mwanza’s golden run is particularly remarkable given his limited resume. With his only prior international experience coming against nondescript opposition from the 2025 Region 5 Games in Namibia, the “wonderboy” proved that African boxers possess world-class potential whenever they are given a platform.
This stellar youth performance is no fluke; it cements a rejuvenation for Zambian boxing hot on the heels of the 2025 Men’s World Boxing Championships achievement, where Zambia also topped the African continent courtesy of bronze medals from flyweight Patrick Chinyemba and welterweight Emmanuel Katema.
With back-to-back continental dominance at both the youth and elite levels, Zambia has proven it is a boxing powerhouse in Africa desperately awaiting the modern corporate and state sponsorship required to match its raw talent.
Eurasian Dauria Cup 2026 Champions
1. 48 kg — Danil Sokolik 🇷🇺 Russia-2
2. 51 kg — Daniel Mwanza 🇿🇲 Zambia
3. 54 kg — Iverson Acosta Gonzalez 🇨🇺 Cuba
4. 57 kg — Imam Magomedov 🇷🇺 Russia-1
5. 60 kg — Jahongir Kamolov 🇹🇯 Tajikistan
6. 63.5 kg — Jahongir Zayniddinov 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
7. 67 kg — Amirali Mehrabi 🇮🇷 Iran
8. 71 kg — Ahmadi Arvaz 🇰🇬 Kyrgyzstan
9. 75 kg — Alixan Shaxbazov 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
10. 80 kg — Armen Arutyunyan 🇷🇺 Russia-1
11. 86 kg — Asilbek Abdusamadov 🇺🇿 Uzbekistan
12. 92 kg — Evgeny Misyurenko 🇷🇺 Russia-2
13. 92+ kg — Artem Shcherbakov 🇷🇺 Russia-1
🏆 Gold medals by country: Russia — 5, Uzbekistan — 3, Zambia — 1, Cuba — 1, Tajikistan — 1, Iran — 1, Kyrgyzstan — 1.
Best Boxer of the Tournament
Ahmadi Arvaz (Kyrgyzstan). 🇰🇬
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