New Delhi/GUWAHATI: Shiva Thapa (56kg) on Wedenesday became the youngest Indian boxer to make the cut for the Olympics by reaching the final but the already-qualified Vijender Singh (75kg) bowed out after losing in the last-four stage of the Asian Qualifiers’ in Astana, Kazakhstan.
The 18-year-old Shiva defeated Japan’s Satoshi Simizu 31-17 to enter the final and book himself a London berth.
“It was a superb performance. He was down a point in the first round due to overt aggression but did not panic and played from medium range in the next two rounds to win and win big,” national coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu told PTI from Astana.
“Most of his points came through right straight punches,” he added.
A 19-year-old L Devendro Singh had booked his London berth in the last year’s World Championships, tying with Debendra Singh (1996 Atlanta) as the youngest Indian boxer to make the Olympics. But the 1993-born Shiva has broken this record.
The Assam teenager, playing only his second senior international event (he won a gold in the maiden), was down 6-7 in the opening round.
But he turned the tables in the second round, taking a massive 15-6 lead. The final three minutes followed a similar script as Shiva clinched it with ease.
Shiva, who defeated Athens Olympics silver medallist and 2010 Asian Games winner Worapoj Petchkoon of Thailand in the quarter-finals, took on another experienced campaigner – Beijing Olympics participant and 2009 Asian Championship bronze medallist Shimizu, in the semis.
He opened with a steady approach, sizing his Japanese opponent first. Shimizu had a notable height difference and took complete advantage of it in the first round.
The Indian who, had to defend more and work on counter attack, was able to get in a few good hits, just before the close of the opening three minutes of play.
He was still down a one point deficit (6:7) at the end.
The 2010 Youth Olympics silver medallist also threw in a series of left right combinations that yielded fine results. By now Thapa had taken complete control of the bout with a ten point lead (22:12).
In the final round he eased off the throttle, but was still able to penetrate Shimizu’s defence at will.
The Assam lad went on to win the bout with a total score of 31:17. He is now assured of at least a silver medal finish from the tournament.
In the title clash of the 56 kilogram weight, Thapa takes on Asian Games bronze medallist Wessam Salamana of Syria on Thursday.
Father hopes son wins medal for country: Meanwhile, father of Shiva Thapa hoped that the teenager would bring laurels to the country by winning a medal in the games.
“It is due to the blessings of God and the people of Assam that he has become the youngest Indian boxer to qualify in the Olympics. We hope he will be able to win a medal and make the country proud,” Guwahati-based Padam Thapa said.
“We had not thought he (Shiva) would qualify for this year’s Olympics. We were hoping his name would figure among the qualifiers for the 2016 games,” the proud father added.
Thapa is a resident of Guwahati’s Birubari locality. (Agencies)