On Tuesday, Shiva Thapa (63kg), who is already a four-time Asian medallist secured himself a medal at the Olympic Test event for boxing. The event was held on Oct 29, Tuesday where Shiva Thapa won his quarterfinal bout while the other six Indians made their last-four stage without even stepping inside the ring here.
Olympic Test event for Boxing
In the meantime, the seasoned boxer from Assam has claimed his third national title previously this month.
Thapa on the other hand, defeated local favourite Yuki Hirakawa in a 5-0 verdict in order to fight his way into the medal rounds.
He is now going to be up against an additional Japanese boxer, Daisuke Narimatsu, in the semifinals that is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
On the other hand, for his six other compatriots, which also comprises of former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg), a medal was sure-fire deprived of a fight as they either got byes or were assisted by the small size of their corresponding draws.
Shiva Thapa, six others Enter semifinals
Other than Zareen, others have also made the semifinals nd those are as follows: Asian silver-medallist Sumit Sangwan (91kg), Ashish (69kg), Vanhlimpuia (75kg), Simranjeet Kaur (60kg) and Pooja Rani (75kg).
Sangwan, who was presented national champion previously this month, is now going to compete against Aibek Oralbay from Kazakhstan.
Recently, Zareen, also hit the headlines for a bitter row over selection for the following year’s Olympic qualifiers where six-time world champion M C Mary Kom has been preferred over her deprived of any trial. She is now going to face Japan’s Sana Kawano which is scheduled to be held on Wednesday.
Former Asian Games bronze-medallist Rani is going to be competing against Beatriz Soares of Brazil. Rani on the other hand had also won a silver medal at the Asina Championships previously this year.
Opponents for the other Indian boxers are now going to be known later after the quarterfinal bouts completed on Tuesday evening.
In the meantime, Anant Choapde quarterfinal exit is the only disappointment for the country’s contingent, who went down 2-3 in a hard-fought competition that was held against local hope Tosho Kashiwasaki.
