Today is a big day for NorthEasterners, as well as for all Indians around the globe, as three prominent boxers from the Northeast make it to the semi-finals of the Asian Boxing Championship 2021 in Dubai.
Shiva Thapa, Mary Kom, and Lovlina Borgohain from North East are amongst the 19 semi-finalists to represent India in the 2021 Asian Boxing Championship.
This time, 19 Indian boxers, nine men and ten women, will compete for the top honors and exquisite prize money.
When the draws were revealed on Sunday, six-time world champion MC Mary Kom (51kg), reigning champion Pooja Rani (75kg), Anupama (+81kg), Saweety (81kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Lalbuatsaihi (64kg), and Monika (48kg) made the last-four stage. They will be contesting on Thursday's semi-finals at the Asian Boxing Championship 2021.
The Indian men squad includes Amit Panghal (52kg), Mohammad Hussamuddin (56kg), Varinder Singh (60kg), Shiva Thapa (64kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg), Ashish Kumar (75kg), Sumit Sangwan (81kg), Sanjeet (91kg) and Narender (+91kg).
Shiva Thapa, a four-time medalist hailing from Guwahati, Assam, is aiming for a fifth consecutive podium finish.
As he prepared to face reigning champion Bakhodur Usmonov of Tajikistan in the 64kg category semifinal on Friday, the seasoned fighter spoke to PTI from Dubai, "wow! I didn't really know that it would mean so much statistically."
"I never thought I would be the first to do something like this. It is a good record to have against your name. Also makes me realise how time has flown. Is it that long since I first competed at Asian championship?" he wondered.
"The pandemic. This whole situation that the world is in. To be able to compete and win medals in such a time. Psychologically, it felt as if I have beaten the virus for once," added the boxing champion.
India's Olympic men's pugilists Amit Panghal (52kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg), and Ashish Kumar (75kg) will begin their campaign on Wednesday.
India's Olympic men's pugilists Amit Panghal (52kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg), and Ashish Kumar (75kg) will begin their campaign.
Panghal, the defending champion and silver medalist in the World Championships, will face Mongolia's Kharkhuu Enkhmandakh.
Vikas Krishan, the Asian Games champion, will face Moslem Malamir of Iran, while Ashish, the silver medalist from the previous edition, will face Abilkhan Amankul of Kazakhstan, the World Championships and Asian Games silver medalist.
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