Kazakhstan won two silver medals at the 2018 Asian Games in Jakarta and Palembang, but Rakishev believes his boxers are capable of doing better next year - if they can adjust what he felt to be a common fault in last month's performance at the Asian Boxing Championships in Amman.

A total of 21 medals were won by Kazakhstan's boxers - six gold, seven silver and eight bronze - and all were honoured at a ceremony in Almaty on Wednesday (November 30), where Rakishev made his pledge to lift the self-esteem of the squad "even higher".

"Our work with the athletes will definitely continue as we look ahead to the Asian Games in China and the World Cup [Men's World Boxing Championships] in Uzbekistan," said Rakishev.

"I was at the tournament in Amman, and I noted that in the battle for gold medals, when it remains to take only half a step to the highest level, for some reason our boxers stop.

"I invited a famous coach from Moscow - Radislav Gandapas - in order to work on their psychology and raise their self-esteem even higher and believe in themselves.

"We will continue working on this aspect."

All medallists at last month's tournament received cash grants and smartphones from the personal funds of Rakishev, according to the Kazakhstan Boxing Federation.

Gold medallists received KZT5 million each ($10,700/£8,700/€10,200), silver medallist KZT2 million ($4,300/£,500/€4,100) and bronze medallists got KZT1 million ($2,100/£1,700/€2,000).

Coaches and training staff also received cash.

The Olympic Council of Asia (OCA) has ruled out any form of involvement of the International Boxing Association (IBA) and Asian Boxing Confederation at next year's Asian Games in Hangzhou. 

The OCA intends to work with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) to organise the sport instead.

The IBA's IOC recognition has been suspended since 2019.

Hangzhou 2022 was delayed until 2023 because of COVID-19 restrictions in China.