Shiva Thapa wins semifinal bout in YOG

Lanky Shiva Thapa who hails from Guwahati, Assam and is trained at the Army Sports Institute, Pune under National Coach Hony Capt G Manoharan, entered the finals of the 1^st Youth Olympic Games at Singapore by comprehensively defeating Zack Davies of Great Britain Boxing on points 14:4. Although the Welsh Boxer had the height advantage over Shiva Thapa, it was the lethal combination of the Indian Boxer’s deft left hooks and right straight punches which gave Thapa a solid lead of 5:1 pts at the end of 1^st Round. In the 2^nd Round Shiva attacked relentlessly and increased his lead to 10:3 pts. In the 3^rd and final round, Shiva Thapa was confidence personified as he danced his way to win the bout at 14:4 pts.

Shiva Thapa thanked his Coach G Manoharan for training him tactically and also giving him sound advice to change strategy depending upon the opponent. Shiva who had sustained an injury in his wrist during the world Youth Championships at Baku wherein he had to settle for the Silver, said that he has fully recovered from that pain. He is now being provided Medical Cover by the Team Doctor Dr TK Tamta who is the Secretary of the IABF Medical Commission and encouraged by his Asst Coach Sub Maj BB Mohanty also of Army Sports Institute, Pune. His opponent in the finals will be decided in the evening in the second semifinal of this weight category.

India’s Vikas Krishan will face Petrauskas Evaldas of Lithuania in the semifinals of 60 kgs in the evening.