Shiva beats Usmonov to make final of Asian Championships
NEW DELHI: India’s Shiva Thapa punched his way to the Asian Boxing Championships final (63.5kg), beating Tajikistan’s two-time Asian medallist Bakhodur Usmonov by a split decision in Amman, Jordan on Thursday. Thapa was at his attacking self against Usmonov, rattling him with a flurry of punches in the first round after a dogged start. The Indian took a few body blows before dishing out combination punches of his own to take the early lead.
Usmonov was a lot more assertive in the second round and came out punching hard, using his left cross to good effect and forcing the judges to award him the round. Shiva bounced back in the final round, despite taking a left jab on his chest and losing balance for a brief moment. Usmonov threw a flurry of punches at the experienced Indian, but the 28-year-old ducked and weaved his way out of trouble to land punches of his own.
The result means Shiva will meet Uzbekistan’s Abdullaev Ruslan in the final on Saturday.
In the 57kg division, India’s Mohammad Hussamuddin got a cut above his right eye during the quarter-final bout, forcing him to miss his last-four bout. He ended his campaign with a bronze medal.
Sumit (75kg) and Govind Kumar Sahani (48kg) also bowed out with a bronze medal each after going down in their respective semis.
Relying mostly on his defence and counterpunches, Govind lost 4-0 to Sanzhar Tashkenbay of Kazakhstan.
Sumit was up against a tough opponent in reigning Asian champion Jafarov Saidjamshid of Uzbekistan who took control of the bout from the first round itself and cruised to a 5-0 win.
Later, Narender (92+kg) suffered a 5-0 loss to Mullojonov Lazizbek of Uzbekistan in his semi-final.
Five Indian women pugilists including Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) and 2022 World Championships bronze medalist Parveen (63kg) will be fighting for gold in the final on Friday.*