Shiva storms into Nationals final

HISAR: The Shiva Thapa-Manish Kaushik semi-final was billed as the fight of the Men’s National Boxing Championships here. The two have been each other’s biggest rivals in recent years and have fought for supremacy to represent India in the light welterweight category. Seasoned Shiva had often found himself on the receiving end of Kaushik -- the sharp counterpuncher.

On Thursday, however, the 29-year-old Shiva produced a stellar show to beat the Tokyo Olympian by a unanimous verdict and sail into the final.

It has been a season where Shiva has taken the mantle back from Kaushik — the 2019 world championships bronze medallist — who was fighting his own battle with injuries. Having recently won silver in the Asian Championships, Shiva became the most successful male boxer in the history of the tournament with six medals to his name. The confidence showed in his fight against his nemesis.

Shiva started aggressively and maintained the tempo throughout the three rounds. There were bursts of attacks that rattled Kaushik who tried to slip in his straight punches. Kaushik, 26, gathered himself in the second round and looked to find his range, but Shiva was up to the task. He did not allow Kaushik to settle into any rhythm and as the bout progressed, he was in full control.

“We have faced each other many times, we know each other so well. So, it becomes tougher to find something different each time to counter,” said Shiva.

“We both have speed and agility and we are counterpunchers. But I am sometimes aggressive which I tried today and created pressure on him,” Shiva, who will meet young Ankit Narwal in the final of 63.5kg, added.

Once the fight was over, Shiva was quick to enquire Kaushik about his injuries.

Jamwal shocks Rohit

In the biggest upset of the day, Abhinash Jamwal of Himachal Pradesh defeated Rohit Tokas, the Birmingham Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, in a close 4-3 verdict through the bout-review system in 67kg. Jamwal, 20, used his long reach as he went toe-to-toe against an attacking Tokas to win the biggest fight of his career. He will meet Akash in the final.

Buoyed by the home support, Abhimanyu Loura of Haryana defeated Services boxer Sanjay 5-0 in 80kg. Abhimanyu had shocked Ashish Chaudhary in the quarter-finals.*