Asian Boxing Championships: Shiva, Amit and Sarita keep India in the hunt

Five Indian boxers storm into the quarterfinals of the Asian Boxing Championships 2019.

Shiva Thapa is now one win away from securing a record fourth medal from the Asian Boxing Championships.

Shiva Thapa (60kg) is now one win away from securing a record fourth medal from the Asian Boxing Championships as a total of five Indian boxers entered the quarter-finals of the tournament in Bangkok. Shiva was at his destructive best as he punched out Kyrgyzstan’s Seitbek Uulu M 4-1 to march into the quarterfinals.

Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal opened his campaign and made it to the last-eight with a 5-0 decimation of Taipei’s Tu Po-Wei in his first continental competitive bout in the 52 Kg. In men’s 69kg, Ashish continued his scintillating run of form with a strong 4-1 win over Abdurakhman Abdurakhmanov of Kyrgyzstan in a split verdict to book his quarter-final berth.

Four-time Asian Championships gold medallist Sarita Devi began her hunt for a staggering sixth medal from this elite event, defeating Korea’s Gwon Sujin. She stormed into the quarter-finals by dint of RSC (Referee Stop Contest) in the third round as she was too dominant for her opponent.

Former world junior champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg) was at her imperious best in her opening bout against Cambodia’s Srey Pov Nao.

The only disappointment for the Indian contingent on Sunday was the defeat of Brijesh Yadav in 81kg. Yadav’s opponent, Dilshodbek Ruzmetov of Uzbekistan was declared a 4-0 winner after he received a cut in Round 2 of the bout.

Sonia, Lovlina in action on Monday

2018 World Championships silver medallist Sonia Chahal (57kg) will continue her medal hunt against North Korea’s Jo Son Hwa when the quarter-final action begins on Monday. Lovlina Borgohain, who secured a bronze from the New Delhi World Championships, will take on Chinese Taipei’s world champion Chen Nien-Chin in a tough last-eight clash.