Unfazed by setbacks, Shiva Thapa eyes strong show

Bantamweight Shiva Thapa will be the sole pugilist from India to compete at the Olympics starting August 5. The 22-year-old is optimistic about the formation of the Boxing Federation of India, after the International Boxing Association extended the deadline (from May 14), so that he can turn out in India colours in Rio de Janeiro.

“As an athlete, my job is to train and focus on my performance. I don’t think about the politics involved in the process. Since a deadline has been given to form a new federation as soon as possible, it will do us good,” said Thapa, who took bronze in the World Amateur Championship last year in Doha.

“But the Aiba said that the boxers will not suffer, they will be able to participate but they can’t do that under the national flag which is a worry. I hope it is solved soon.”

Thapa had started training to qualify for the Rio Olympics but his luck earned him a berth in the London Olympics (2012) as well. He lost in the first round to Oscar Valdez Fierro (Mexico) but gained experience.

“When I was the youngest to qualify, people asked me how it felt. I am grateful it happened that early. The last four years helped me shape my present. The World Championship bronze motivated me further. I will be relaxed when I go to Rio,” added Thapa, who had expected more boxers from India to join him at Rio.

Asked what went wrong at the London Games, he said, “There were technical mistakes. But the team had been doing fine with the coaches and support staff. This time, the qualifiers were tougher than the last time. Aiba introduced world provisional boxing which has more quotas but Indian boxers aren’t participating there. In amateur boxing, the quota is very small.”