Asian Boxing C'ships: Shiva Thapa advances to quarterfinal in 63.5 kg category
Nov 04, 2022
Amman [Jordan], November 4 : Five-time Asian Championships medalist Shiva Thapa displayed his mettle in a hard-fought win and progressed to the quarter-finals of the Asian Elite Boxing Championships in Amman, Jordan on Friday.
As per a press release from the Boxing Federation of India (BFI), Thapa (63.5kg) was up against Mongolia's Byambatsogt Tuguldur in the pre-quarterfinal bout. Both the boxers went toe-to-toe since the beginning with their aggressive approach and landed some heavy blows on each other making it a very close contest.
In the end, it was the distinguished Indian boxer's experience and quick movement that helped him prevail over the opponent and secure a 3:2 victory by split decision in this fiercely contested bout.
Thapa will now take on the winner of the bout between Haidara Alasaly and Minsu Choi in the quarter finals.
Later tonight, Ananta Chopade (54kg) and Etash Khan (60kg) will be in action against Japan's Tanaka Shogo and Thailand's Khunatip Pudnich respectively in their pre-quarter finals bout.
Seven Indian women puligists including Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Lovlina will be kicking off their campaign from the quarter-final stage on Saturday.
Lovlina, who has changed her weight category from 69kg will be playing her first international tournament in the 75kg weight category as she takes to the ring against the 2016 World Champion, Valentina Khalzova of Kazakhstan.
The six other boxers who will be in action are Minakshi (52kg), Sakshi (54kg), Preeti (57kg), Parveen (63kg), Ankushita (66kg) and Pooja (70kg).
The competition is witnessing the participation of 267 boxers from 27 top boxing nations.
The event will be held in Jordan from November 1 to November 12.
India squad (as per Olympics.com):
Men: Govind Sahani (48kg), Sparsh Kumar (51kg), Ananta Chopade (54kg), Md. Hussamuddin (57kg), Etash Khan (60kg), Shiva Thapa (63.5kg), Amit Kumar (67kg), Sachin (71kg), Sumit (75kg), Lakshya (80kg), Kapil (86kg), Naveen (92kg), Narender (+92kg)
Women: Monika (48kg), Savita (50kg), Minakshi (52kg), Sakshi (54kg), Preeti (57kg), Simranjit (60kg), Parveen (63kg), Ankushita Boro (66kg), Pooja (70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Saweety Boora (81kg), Alfiya Pathan (+81kg).
