Shiva Thapa is on cloud nine after becoming the first Indian boxer to qualify for the 2016 Rio Olympics. The 22-year-old Assam boxer, who is employed with ONGC, qualified in the 56 kg category in the recent Asia & Oceania Olympic Qualifying Tourney in China.
The bantamweight boxer spoke about his Olympic aspirations and much more in an exclusive interview.
Excerpts:
Q. How does it feel becoming the first Indian boxer to qualify for the Rio Olympics?
I’m really chuffed and relieved to have made the Olympic cut. It was important for me to seal my Olympic berth in China, and I gave more than 200% in achieving that.
Q. India had fielded seven boxers at the 2012 London Olympics. Are you disappointed that you are only one to have qualified from the qualifying tourney in China even as other boxers failed to qualify?
Look, all our boxers did their best and the likes of MC Mary Kom and Devendro Singh were so close to qualifying. Every nation comes well prepared for such Olympic qualifying tournaments and it is never easy. There is still one more qualifying tournament left for these boxers and I’m quite positive about more boxers qualifying.
Q. The Olympic qualifying norms were much tougher than last time- you are made to box in this Olympic qualifying tourney despite winning a bronze medal at the 2013 World Championship in Doha.
Of course, qualifying for the Olympics has become tougher than the last Olympics. I’m really glad that I was able to seal my berth in the China qualifying tournament.
Q. How would to sum up all your bouts in the China qualifying tourney?
Each bout went down to the wire. I faced a Korean opponent in the first round and then faced a Japanese pugilist who was very aggressive. I defeated a Kazakhstan boxer in the semifinals – he was a 2013 World Championship bronze medal. I lost to a Chinese opponent, where I gave my best but it was not enough.
Q. The world boxing federation – AIBA – has given time till mid-May for India to have a federation in place. Your thoughts.
I’m really hope that everything gets sorted out by then. Hopefully we will have a federation by then and everything will be fine. AIBA has been really supportive of Indian boxing.
Q. The Rio Olympics will be your second Olympic appearance – you became the youngest Indian boxer to play for India at the 2012 Olympics.
I’m going to work really hard to win a medal for my country. I know there are a lot of Olympic medal-winning expectations from my fans and well wishers and this something that keeps me going.
Q. Which are the really strong contenders in your 56 kg category at the Rio Olympics?
We have current Irish world champion Michael Conlan and then there is Kazakhstan’s Murodjon Akhmadaliev who will be tough to beat. There are also boxers from Cuba and Ukraine, who are quite formidably in my weight category.
Q. How much are you enjoying your small break in hometown Guwahati?
I came home after many months after the training and tournaments abroad. I’m going to take rest for a few days before I join the camp in Patiala. It is also an opportunity for me to enjoy my mother’s sumptuous home cooked meals.
