2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships
The 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships were held in Belgrade, Serbia from 25 October to 6 November.[1] Belgrade was picked to host the championships for the second time; the original 2021 contract with New Delhi was cancelled due to a disagreement between AIBA and the Boxing Federation of India over hosting fees. AIBA also demanded the BFI pay a cancellation penalty of US$500,000.[2]
| 2021 AIBA World Boxing Championships | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Venue | Štark Arena |
| Location | Belgrade, Serbia |
| Dates | 25 October – 6 November |
| Competitors | 510 from 88 nations |
For the first time in AIBA’s 75-year history, medal winners were awarded prize money; gold medallists earn $100,000, silver medallists $50,000, and bronze medallists $25,000. The overall prize fund was worth $2.6 million.[3]
Medal summary
Medal table
* Host nation (Serbia)
| Rank | Nation | Gold | Silver | Bronze | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Cuba | 3 | 0 | 2 | 5 |
| 2 |  Kazakhstan | 2 | 2 | 1 | 5 |
| 3 |  United States | 2 | 2 | 0 | 4 |
| 4 |  Japan | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 |
| 5 |  Russian Boxing Federation | 1 | 2 | 2 | 5 |
| 6 |  Azerbaijan | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 |
 France | 1 | 0 | 2 | 3 | |
| 8 |  Ukraine | 1 | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| 9 | Thailand Boxing Federation | 0 | 1 | 2 | 3 |
| 10 |  Armenia | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 |
 Belarus | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
 Italy | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
 Uzbekistan | 0 | 1 | 1 | 2 | |
| 14 |  Brazil | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 |
 Turkey | 0 | 1 | 0 | 1 | |
| 16 |  Georgia | 0 | 0 | 2 | 2 |
| 17 |  Albania | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 |
.svg.png.webp){kind=small} Belgium | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Dominican Republic | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 India | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Iran | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Scotland | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Serbia* | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Spain | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
 Trinidad and Tobago | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | |
| Totals (25 nations) | 13 | 13 | 26 | 52 | |
Medalists
Controversies
The Kosovo boxing team was prevented from competing at the tournament despite Serbia's hosting contract requiring Serbia to allow all teams to compete. (The contract further requires that all teams be allowed to compete under their own flags and explicitly includes Kosovo; AIBA recognizes the Kosovo Boxing Federation as a full member.[4]) Two days prior to the tournament, the Kosovo boxing team was denied entry into Serbia at border control, effectively shutting them out of the tournament. During negotiations between AIBA and Serbia, Serbia stated to AIBA that Kosovo would not be allowed to compete except under the AIBA flag; this was rejected by AIBA. One day prior to the tournament, AIBA suggested a compromise to Serbia where Kosovo would compete under "a neutral flag" (similar to Russia's situation); this was rejected by Serbia.[5][6][7]
In December 2021 after the tournament, the International Olympic Committee sent a letter to Serbia condemning the incident.[8]
References
- "AIBA MEN'S WORLD BOXING CHAMPIONSHIPS 2021 | Detailed Competition Schedule" (PDF). AIBA. 24 October 2021. Archived from the original (PDF) on 24 October 2021. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- "AIBA move 2021 World Boxing Championships from New Delhi to Belgrade due to pay dispute". The 42. Journal Media Ltd. AFP. 28 April 2020. Retrieved 24 October 2021.
- "Top stars are registered to take part in AIBA World Boxing Championships". AIBA.org. International Boxing Association (AIBA). 24 September 2021. Retrieved 28 September 2021.
- "Swedish Boxing Federation".
- "Kosovo boxing team denied entry to Serbia for third time".
- "Michael Houston: Serbia shutout shows where politics should stay out of sport".
- "Serbia Bars Kosovo Team from Competing in Boxing Championship". 25 October 2021.
- "Kosovo flag not on World Athletics website for Indoor Championships in Serbia".