World Championships bronze-medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) on Thursday became the first Indian boxer to make the cut for this year’s Rio Olympics by entering the Asian qualifying tournament’s final but t
World Championships bronze-medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) on Thursday became the first Indian boxer to make the cut for this year’s Rio Olympics by entering the Asian qualifying tournament’s final but the celebrated M.C. Mary Kom (51kg) failed to book her Rio Games ticket after losing in the last-four stage here.
Shiva, given the top seeding in his weight category, lived up to the billing as he sailed past 2013 World Championship bronze-medallist Kairat Yeraliyev of Kazakhstan in the semi-final. In the final, he will face second seed Chatchai Butdee of Thailand.
With the day’s victory, the 22-year-old Indian is set for his second Olympic appearance, four years after he became the youngest boxer to qualify for the multi-sporting extravaganza.
“I was very worked up about this bout, it was the most important bout for me. I am totally exhausted and relieved at the same time,” Shiva said.
However, it was heartbreak for another top seed, Mary Kom, who went down to old foe Ren Cancan of China in the semis, which will only translate into a bronze medal for her. In the women’s category, only the gold and silver medal winners from this tournament qualify for Rio Olympics.
The five-time world champion, however, has another chance of qualifying for Rio during the World Championships in May.
Another Indian in fray in the men’s draw was fourth seed L. Devendro Singh (49kg) but he lost to top seed Rogen Ladon of Mongolia in their last four bout. Assured of a bronze medal, Devendro will now fight it out for an Olympic quota place by taking on Mongolia’s third-seeded Gan-Erdene Gankhuyag.
