Shiva Thapa, L Sarita Devi enter semis of Asian Boxing Championships

In boxing, eight Indians including Shiva Thapa and veteran L Sarita Devi have entered the semifinals at the Asian Championships in Bangkok. Thapa secured an unprecedented fourth successive medal after beating Thailand’s Rujakran Juntrong 5-0 in a one-sided lightweight (60kg) contest yesterday. He will now play against Kazakhstan’s Zakir Safiullin tomorrow.

In the women's draw, former world champion Sarita defeated Kazakhstan's Rimma Volossenko (60kg) in a split decision to advance. Former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg)



too booked her maiden semifinal berth at the tournament, beating Kazakhstan's Nazym Kyzaibay.

 

Last edition's silver-medallist Manisha (54kg) also secured semifinal berth by defeating Filipino Petecio Zzaa Nice, while former national champion Simranjit Kaur (64kg) edged past a gritty Ha Thi Linh of Vietnam to make the last four. 

Joining Thapa in the men's semifinals were Commonwealth Games silver-medallist Satish Kumar (91kg), Ashish Kumar (75kg) and Ashish (69kg).