Shiva Thapa 1st Indian to Assure 4th Straight Asian Boxing Championships Medal

6:26 PM

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sports news

Shiva Thapa 1st Indian to Assure 4th Straight Asian Boxing Championships Medal

Bangkok: Shiva Thapa (60kg) secured himself an unprecedented fourth successive medal, while veteran L Sarita Devi (60kg) made the semifinals for the first time in nearly a decade to continue India's stupendous run at the Asian Boxing Championships here on Tuesday.

In all, eight Indian boxers -- four women and four men -- advanced to the medal rounds on day two of quarterfinals.

The 25-year-old Thapa defeated Thailand's Rujakran Juntrong in a one-sided lightweight (60kg) contest. He prevailed 5-0 and has a tough semifinal lined up against Kazakhstan's Zakir Safiullin, a silver-medallist from the 2015 edition.

Thapa had won a gold in 2013, a bronze in 2015 and a silver in the 2017 edition of the marquee continental event. He is the first Indian to achieve the incredible feat.

In the women's draw, former world champion Sarita, who last reached the Asian semis back in 2010 and ended with a gold, defeated Kazakhstan's Rimma Volossenko in a split decision to advance.

Former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) too booked her maiden semifinal berth at the tournament, beating Kazakhstan's Nazym Kyzaibay in the quarters.

Last edition's silver-medallist Manisha (54kg) also secured herself at least a bronze by defeating Filipino Petecio Zzaa Nice, while former national champion Simranjit Kaur (64kg) edged past a gritty Ha Thi Linh of Vietnam to make the last four.

Joining Thapa in the men's semifinals were Commonwealth Games silver-medallist Satish Kumar (+91kg), Ashish Kumar (75kg) and Ashish (69kg).

Ashish Kumar got the better of Kyrgyzstan's Omerbek Uulu Behzhigit in a unanimous verdict, while his namesake trounced Vietnam's Tran Duc Tho 5-0, displaying an impeccable counter-attacking game.

In the evening session, Satish out-punched Korean Kim Dohyeon, an exhausting showdown that left the Indian with a cut above his right eye.

Thapa, who is also a former world championship bronze-medallist and a two-time national champion, opened the proceedings for India and got busy immediately.

The Indian had a spring in his step as he went about dismantling his clueless opponent.

The technically superior Thapa also seemed to have added some more power to his punches and an aggressive streak which his rival found tough to deal with.

Ashish, on the other hand, was locked in a messy contest with Bekzhigit but was clearly the more accurate of the two boxers, finding favour with all the five judges.

Sarita also endured a draining contest against Volossenko but the veteran from Manipur raised the bar when it mattered to move ahead.

The performance in the championship is a turnaround of sorts for the 37-year-old, who ended without a medal at the world championships in Delhi last year.

However, Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Naman Tanwar (91kg) bowed out after losing his quarterfinal bout to Jordan's Hussein Eishaish Iashaish 0-5.

In the women's draw, it was curtains for Nupur (75kg) after she went down to North Korean Pak Un Sim in her quarterfinal bout.

Source: NEWS18

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Arjuna award for Shiva Thapa, Khel Ratna for Jitu Rai

8:19 AM

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sports news

Writes: Buddham Moktan Tamang

The terms brave, fierce are very much associated with Gorkhas but now the overall scenario is different.

The so called brave Gorkhas can now be considered the modern Gorkhas of the 21st century who have excelled in many aspect whether it be social, economic, political and also at the intellectual level.

As such it is in this context that the name of Jitu Rai who was representing India at the Rio Oympics 2016 will be conferred the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award 2016, the highest sporting award in the nation

Not only him Shiva thapa who represented India in Boxing will be conferred the Arjuna award 2016 which is really a moment of pride for the entire Gorkha community.

Arjuna award for Shiva Thapa, Khel Ratna for Jitu Rai

So we the Gorkhas must be proud of their achievement since we have always been discriminated racially. This is an example where we Gorkhas stand now and we will even be progressing further in near future.

In the process, we also Congratulate our local lad from Siliguri Soumyajit Ghosh who is also receiving Arjuna Award this year.

Congratulations to all the Athletes and Coaches.

Via DT

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Shiva Thapa's interview about training and his hopes for Rio.

4:38 PM

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sports news

In boxing, aggression is key: Shiva Thapa - the only Indian boxer to have qualified for the Rio Games so far, on his preparations and the unending chaos in the sport’s administration.
Writes Suprita Das*

New Delhi: Four years ago, he became the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympic Games. Now, Shiva Thapa, 22, says he’s grown as a boxer, despite the sport itself having stalled in India in the worst possible way over the lack of a governing body. In late 2012, the international ruling body for amateur boxing, AIBA, banned the Indian boxing federation after finding evidence of a rigged election. Ever since, Indian boxing’s administrators have been at war with each other, and the ban has stayed. The worst affected, of course, have been the boxers. There have been no national championships since 2012, the training calendar and camps for elite boxers have been thrown out of gear, and boxers have found it increasingly difficult to participate in international tournaments without a federation to represent them.

In 2012, an unprecedented eight boxers qualified for the London Olympics. This year, with just two chances left to qualify (one tournament is ongoing, the other is meant for pro boxers), Thapa is the only Indian boxer who has assured himself of a place in Rio 2016.

Shive Thapa is the only Indian boxer who has assured himself of a place in Rio 2016.

The bantamweight (56kg) boxer from Assam, currently ranked No. 6 in the world, spoke in an interview about training through adversity, and his hopes for Rio.

Edited excerpts:

You’re the first and so far the only Indian boxer to have qualified for Rio. Isn’t it going to be a bit of a lonely dressing room for you?
Yes, if nobody else qualifies, it will be a little lonely, no doubt. But I am hopeful our boys have one more chance of qualifying for Rio. Vikas (Krishan Yadav) has given himself one more shot at qualifying through the AIBA pro boxing route, and I am definitely hopeful about him.

You were the youngest Indian to qualify for London four years back. How have you grown as a boxer?
A lot. I am a different person, and a better boxer for sure. When I made the cut for London, it was a dream come true. But it got over in a flash. The last four years have been spent in making myself tougher, and better. The Olympics are always a huge occasion, there is so much more we attach to it than just the competition, and any of us who have qualified who says they are not nervous, are not telling the truth.

But the experience I gained last time, I’m sure that will help. I hope it’s going to be less overwhelming. I have now taken part in two World Championships, two Asian Championships, one Olympics, one Asian Games and one Commonwealth Games—I have fought against many different opponents, which has taken my boxing to a higher level. There is a lot more self-belief in me than before. And the big stage and the spotlight does not makes me nervous.

You were just 18 when you qualified for London. What was that like?
Yes, it’s actually the scenes in my home town, Guwahati, after my qualification, that I will never forget. The road near our house was lined with cars, and people, and members of the media. For days my parents, my sister, they couldn’t do anything normally. That’s why before a big tournament I always try and make a trip back home to see my family. I’ve done it this time too. I just switch off during those days, and don’t even check my phone.

And this time, after your qualified, you posed a question to Sachin Tendulkar on Twitter...

Yes, I am a massive fan of Tendulkar, and he’s played for India in so many World Cups. So I was keen to know how the best sportspersons handle pressure at that level.

And what was Tendulkar’s advice?
He said you shouldn’t think of the outcome, but focus on the process instead. He said that the pressure will always be there, but the idea is to just enjoy the moment, enjoy being on such a big stage like the Olympics, and when you begin to enjoy yourself, the pressure takes care of itself.

You say you’ve become a better boxer. How has that happened given the mess Indian boxing is in?
It’s been frustrating, and disappointing, no doubt. That’s why when I won my Olympic quota in China, it was more like overcoming a huge mental battle. I let out a scream after my semi-final, because I was relieved. In a way, you could say there was that pent-up anger inside me, and I wanted to come out strong despite the huge administrative barriers that, not just me, all of us faced.

During the trials for the Olympic qualifiers, you got a cut above your eye, which means just before the competition, you couldn’t even have sparring sessions. Did that make it even tougher?
Yes, it’s like going to write an exam without preparing for it! I needed stitches for the injury, and then couldn’t spar with anyone for fear that the cut would open. At that time all my training and sparring was in the head.

You realize there could be a scenario where you could be competing in Rio as an International Olympic Committee or an AIBA athlete, and not on behalf of India?

Yes, I hope it’s sorted before that. I know they are making efforts in that direction. We have been competing as AIBA athletes for these two years, and of course it’s very odd to not have anything written on my vest or jacket when I am competing. Sometimes when you’re not in the ring, but somewhere around the competition venue, people come and ask you which country you’re from, and that reminds you of the reality.

What’s been the biggest hurdle in training because of the federation ban for so long?
Getting more tournaments and exposure trips, definitely. See, so much of the scoring and judging in boxing has become subjective, and you can’t do much beyond what the judge has put on his scoresheet. But we have hardly got a chance to compete under these new rules. In Patiala (at the national training camp), we may have the best sparring partners, but anyone will tell you that training and competition are completely different.

So, for example, I have been working on increasing my aggression. In today’s boxing, I think, there is no place for dormant boxers who like to back-pedal and move around the ring without the intent to throw punches and score points. Aggression is key; you don’t have any option but to go for the kill. But it’s only when I am fighting a real bout in a competition that I will be able to judge if my aggression is in the right measure, or am I going overboard.

Every bout, and every competitor, is different. There can be no formula obviously. So getting more competitions makes a huge difference. Still I would say, AIBA has been quite generous and understanding with India; it could have been far worse, we could have been banned from competing completely.

What do you make of Vijender Singh turning pro?
It’s interesting times no doubt, with the road to pro boxing in our country being paved by Vijender who has been a game changer in amateur boxing for us, and now in pro too. I think it opens many doors for boxers, especially younger boxers. Our boys have been going through uncertain times, so they are going to lap up any opportunity. If you look at any other sports, even in India itself, the coaches have been working and training and identifying youngsters for the 2020 Olympics now, and that’s how it must be. But in boxing we don’t have that, because where are the competitions to identify new boxers?

Given a chance, would you be tempted to turn pro? You definitely have age on your side.
I don’t want to predict right now, because there’s nothing else that’s on my target at the moment apart from Rio. I have worked very hard to get my ticket, I have earned it, and want to make the most of it. Any decision on the future is for a later time.

*Suprita Das is a senior sports correspondent with NDTV.

Via livemint

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Why I won’t ‘settle down’ says Shiva Thapa

4:43 PM

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sports news

I found the purpose and passion that keeps me on my toes when I first walked into a boxing gym.

Everyone wants to know how I’m training for the Olympics. Training for the Olympics isn’t just a matter of working hard for a few months or for four years. When I think about it, the countdown to the Olympics started when I walked into a boxing gym for the first time. I was nine years old then.
The Olympics, of course, are the biggest games in the world. As a boxer, this is supposed to be one of the highlights of my career. When I go to Rio, I think I will be able to enjoy the Olympics a lot more. When I was in London (2012), I was overawed by the whole experience. You are walking around the Olympic village or you could be having lunch and you meet some of the greatest athletes in the world. When I met athletes like Usain Bolt and Michael Phelps, I was a little apprehensive. How would they respond to an 18-year-old from India who hadn’t won anything? But they were welcoming. You could see they had the attitude of a winner but they were never rude to anyone. That’s something I took from them. Being a champion is about being open to new situations. There’s always something to learn from others.

Shiva Thapa

I also made a lot of friends at the London games. People are quick to jump to the conclusion that boxers are a violent bunch. That’s not true. All our aggression is confined to the ring. Outside, we are like a brotherhood. One of my good friends at London was Satoshi Shimizu of Japan. I had beaten him in the semifinal of the Asian Olympic qualifiers in 2012, but he had made it to the Olympics because I had won the final at the qualifiers. But at London our paths differed. I lost in the first round and he won a bronze. It wasn’t in my destiny to win a medal in London, I suppose.

But it certainly was in my destiny to be a boxer. I believe that boxing is my purpose in life. In fact, I believe everyone has a purpose in life. We sometimes confuse what we are doing with what our purpose in life is. It is not easy to find out one’s purpose in life is. People don’t know what they want to do even after they turn 30 or 40. I feel blessed and fortunate that I knew what I wanted to do with my life when I was nine.

It helped that my father did not force me into boxing. My father practiced martial arts. But he didn’t mind if I was interested in studies or singing or dancing. If my father had pushed me into the sport, I may have rebelled. I went to the gym myself and he supported me. That’s all I needed from him.
Being a native of Assam makes it sometimes an unusual experience when I travel abroad. Very often other boxers come up to me and ask if I am really from India. I explain to them that India is a large country with very many people. Since I am the only Indian who has qualified in boxing for this Olympics, I wonder if boxers from elsewhere will think that all Indians look like me!

It’s a little different when this question is posed in your own country. It is frustrating when your own countrymen say you look like a native of some other country. We have always looked like this. I know that the North East was never ruled by China or Mongolia or Korea. Judging whether someone is Indian by their face is foolish. There are people from North India who look Arab to me. At times I get a bit angry when I hear cases of discrimination. There are some who think that people from the North East are less Indian than they are. But what have they achieved to make their country proud? They probably can’t even name the seven states of the North East or spot them on the India map!
I spoke on the anti racism law because I see myself as a guy from the North East. Discussions started on that law after the murder of Nido Tania in Delhi in 2014. I was upset because the debate was around Nido’s identity — he was someone from Arunachal Pradesh. I was shocked this happened to an Indian.

People would say I’m patriotic. All athletes are in some way patriotic. When you compete for the Olympics, you have to sacrifice so much for so long. You have to train more than you thought you could. You do it because it’s for something bigger than you.

In a way I am grateful that I can do what I do. I love boxing but it also gives me a platform to represent my country on the biggest stage of all. If my achievements can motivate a youngster from my state to do well, or convince someone that people from my region are as much a part of this country as any other, that’s equally important for me.

Boxing has given me an identity. When I wear my boxing vest, it doesn’t say Shiva Thapa or Assam or the North East. It says India. I’m a boxer fighting for my country. That’s what I’m about.


Via indianexpress

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Sachin Tendulkar wishes Shiva Thapa good luck for Rio Olympics 2016

8:57 PM

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Video

New Delhi: Shiva Thapa, the only Indian boxer to have qualified for the Rio Olympics so far, today got words of encouragement from none other than cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar. Tendulkar, replying to a question asked by Thapa in a Twitter chat, wished the 22-year-old the very best for his second Olympics. “Firstly, all the very best for the Rio Olympics. We are with you. We are supporting you. Don’t think about the pressure. Just think about the process, results will follow,” said Tendulkar

“You have to stay positive and enjoy the game. Pressure is going to be there but if you try and live in the present, then pressures will take care of themselves. Good luck,” he added. Tendulkar was responding to a flurry of questions from fans on Twitter. “I am going to my second Olympics at Rio. How did you handle pressure when you played for India at World Cup?” Thapa had asked. The world No.6 Thapa won the bantamweight silver at the Asian Qualifiers in Qian’an, China to qualify for the Olympics in August.

Former India captain Anil Kumble and former England captain Michael Vaughan also had questions for Tendulkar. While Kumble asked him when they could plan a trip together to a wildlife sanctuary, Vaughan asked Tendulkar whether the ball he bowled to him was the “greatest delivery” he had ever faced.

Via cricketcountry

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Shiva Thapa qualifies for Rio Olympics 2016

5:41 PM

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sports news

31st March 2016 Shiva Thapa became the first Indian boxer to qualify for the Rio Olympics when he entered the final of the men's bantamweight (56kg) category at the Asia/Oceania qualifying tournament, Qian'an, China, on Thursday.

Shiva, the top seed in his weight division, defeated 2013 World Championship bronze medalist Kairat Yeraliyev of Kazakhstan in the semi-finals. The Assam lad will face second seed Chatchai Butdee of Thailand in the final on Friday.

This will be Shiva's second appearance at the Olympics. The World Championships bronze medallist became the youngest boxer to compete at the Oylmpics at the London Games in 2012.

Shiva Thapa qualified for Rio Olympics 2016 beating Kairat Yeraliyev (Kazakhstan). Enters in the finals of 2016 Asian/Oceanian Qualification Event.

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Shiva Thapa bags Gold Medal in 12th South Asian Games 2016 as India wins 7 gold in boxing

11:09 PM

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sports news

Our pride, Shiva Thapa bags Gold Medal today during the 12th South Asian Games 2016 at Shillong, Meghalaya. Indian boxers packed a powerful punch as they bagged all the seven gold medals on offer in the men's event of the 12th South Asian Games on Monday.

Glasgow Commonwealth Games silver medalist L Devendro Singh, who is recovering from an injury, began India's gold rush in boxing when he pipped Mohib Ulla of Pakistan in 49kg category at the SAI campus in North Eastern Hill University on the outskirts of the city.

The other gold medallists of the day were Vikas Krishan (75kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg), Madan Lal (52kg), Dheeraj Rangi (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Mandeep Jangra (69kg).

"It was a bit tough and my focus was to avoid any injury with the qualifiers coming up next month," the London Olympics quarter finalist Devendro told PTI after he was was adjudged winner 2-1 via split decision.

Shiva Thapa bags Gold Medal in 12th South Asian Games 2016

The Manipuri completely dominated the first and second rounds to run away with the bout.

Mohib Ulla mainly relied on wild swings, while a cautious Devendro was handing out straight crosses and body punches to be adjudged winner.

If Devendro fought off injury to open India's account, world no 6 in middleweight Vikas Krishan put up a brave front after fighting a flu to down Tanveer Ahmed in the 75kg to end the home side's campaign with a magnificent seven gold medals.

Despite not being able to put up his best, Krishan prevailed over his Pakistani opponent with some feisty uppercuts and was adjudged 3-0 winner.

"I was running temperature after landing here failing to cope with the temperature as I'm on full antibiotic dosage so I was not able to give my best," Krishan said while India head coach GS Sandhu felt he would have won through TKO had he been fully fit.

Guwahati lad Shiva Thapa impressed the boisterous crowd, which included his father Padam and brother Govind among others, to prevail upon Sri Lankan W Ruwan Thilina in the 56kg title bout.

Against the Lankan, who was headbutting, Thapa had a defensive strategy.

"The strategy worked and I did not allow him to settle down initially before unleashing a flurry of blows," the world number 2 said.

Source TOI

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Shiva Thapa: Heroes Of Indian Combat Sports

8:44 AM

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sports news

India is known to have produced numerous talented boxers who have made a mark at the global stage. From the great Hawa Singh in the 1960s to the likes of Mary Kom, Akhil Kumar and Vijender Singh, these athletes have made the nation proud on several occasions. In this edition of Heroes of Combat Sports, we take a look at the journey of the country’s youngest Olympian, 21-year-old Shiva Thapa.

The young boxer has already grown into a mature athlete and will be one of India’s strongest contenders at the 2016 Olympics.

Combat sports in blood

Born on 8th December 1993, in Guwahati, Shiva Thapa is the youngest of six children. His father, Padam Thapa was a Karate instructor at Assam and his elder brother Gobind Thapa was a National level boxing champion. Gobind Thapa has won numerous accolades including National Medals and Best Boxer Awards in various competitions. At a very young age, Shiva Thapa had taken a liking towards boxing and used to watch Mike Tyson’s bouts with great interest.

Olympic Gold Quest comes to Shiva Thapa’s aid

As Shiva Thapa managed his studies and training comfortably, Olympic Gold Quest (OGQ), a non-profit organization, which boosts Indian sporting talent, identified him as an enormous talent. The organization went on to make him a part of their ‘Vision 2016’ initiative. Former Indian hockeycaptain Viren Rasquinha had high regard for Thapa at the time of his association with OGQ and stated how a talented boxer like him needed proper grooming.

Amateur career and road to 2012 London Olympics

In 2008, Shiva Thapa participated at the Children of Asia. International Sports Games in Moscow and won the bronze medal. This achievement earned him a place in the Indian contingent that was travelling to Armenia for the Junior World Boxing Championships. Thapa won a bronze medal in the 52-kg weight category and was the only Indian medal-winner.

String of silver medals in 2010

After a semifinal loss at  the Asian Youth Boxing Championship, Shiva Thapa entered the finals of the Youth World    Amateur Boxing Championships. An injured fist in the semifinal bout cost him the match and he had to be content with the silver medal. Post this success, Shiva Thapa qualified for the Youth Olympics and had a good run in the tournament with a bronze medal finish in the 54-kg category.

The 2012 Asian Olympic Qualifiers were held in Astana, Kazakhstan, where Shiva Thapa defeated Syria’s Wessam Salamana 18–11 to clinch the gold medal. The result saw him qualify for the 2012 London Olympics in 56-kg category. He, however, lost in the first round of the London Olympics, losing 9–14 to Oscar Valdez Fierro of Mexico in the Bantamweight category.

WSB contract for Shiva Thapa in 2013

In July 2013, Shiva emerged victorious at the Asian Confederation Boxing Championships. He became the youngest Indian to achieve this feat. He also participated in the World Boxing Championships of the same year and went on to reach the quarterfinals in his debut stint. As he continued to grow in stature as a boxer, the World Series Boxing offered Shiva Thapa a contract for professional boxing. He became one of the first Indian boxers to receive the contract. Currently, Shiva Thapa is world no. 3 in the Bantamweight category as per the AIBA rankings.

Thapa is also an active promoter of social causes and participates in marathons and walkathons intended to raise funds for charity. We wish the young boxer from Assam all the very best for his next big mission: the 2016 Olympics.

Source : sportsrediscovered

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