The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has delayed its Women’s World Boxing Championships from December until March, blaming the coronavirus crisis and resulting restrictions in place across the globe.
AIBA claimed in a statement confirming the postponement that "the feedback received is that too many National Federations are facing difficult situations and restrictions within their countries.
"Due to this AIBA Board of Directors in consensus the Turkish National Federation has decided to postpone the Women’s World Championships to March 2022." Istanbul had been due to stage the event between December 6th and 19th.
The Turkish city was only confirmed as host of the World Championships at the start of last month, when AIBA President Umar Kremlev visited Istanbul. But Kremlev last week said postponement was possible, and promised consultation with National Federations before a firm decision was taken.
Postponement of the event will be a blow to women boxers, who have not been able to compete at a World Championships since October 2019, when Ulan-Ude in Russia played host. Some will have taken part at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, but the boxing tournament there was run by the International Olympic Committee Boxing Task Force, with AIBA's Olympic recognition currently suspended.
Fewer weight categories are contested at the Olympics. AIBA's Men's World Boxing Championships concluded on Saturday (November 6th) in Serbian capital Belgrade.
"We are aware that some teams have already started preparations for this event and will be disappointed," AIBA President Kremlev acknowledged. "However, the safety and wellbeing of our athletes, officials and other stakeholders is a priority, and therefore we cannot take the risk to proceed with the event."
For the first time ever, the AIBA announced a prize money fund of USD 2.4 million for medal winners across 12 weight categories.
The prize for first place has been kept at USD 100 000. The silver-medallists would receive USD 50,000 and both bronze winners in each weight category would be richer by USD 25,000. The world body had also announced that the AIBA Extraordinary Congress would be held during the championships, and major reforms of the organisation would be announced.
In July, AIBA increased the women's weight categories from 10 to 12. The new divisions are 48kg, 50kg, 52kg, 54kg, 57kg, 60kg, 63kg, 66kg, 70kg, 75kg, 81kg, and 81kg.