A trio of local youth boxers, who train out of a Staten Island gym, brought home some hardware after competing at the National Silver Gloves boxing championships in Kansas City, Mo. earlier this month.
Laila Zakirova placed first in the girls’ 15/16-year-old division at 110 pounds. It’s the fourth time she has taken home gold at the event, according to her coach, Akmal Zakirov. Her sister, Zarina Zakirova, took second place in the 9/10-year-old division at 85 pounds.
Lastly, Diyorbek Utkurov copped bronze in the boys’ 13/14-year-old, 90-pound division. All three competitors train out of the Bars Boxing Gym in Dongan Hills.
Laila, a Tottenville HS student, has copped six addition USA National titles in her career, according to Zakirov. She won her title bout via TKO en route to her 10th career National championship.
“I am very proud of my students and all that they have accomplished,” said Zakirov. “Like I always say, hard work pays off.”
The trio has already turned its attention to the USA Boxing National Open Tournament, which begins on Mar. 9 in Albuquerque, NM.
“We are getting ready for it, working hard and we will be ready to show great results once again,” concluded Zakirov.
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