BANGKOK, April 23: Shiva Thapa (60kg) secured himself a medal for the fourth successive time, while veteran L Sarita Devi (60kg) made the semifinals for the first time in nearly a decade to continue India�s stupendous run at the Asian Boxing Championships here on Tuesday.
The 25-year-old Thapa defeated Thailand�s Rujakran Juntrong in a one-sided lightweight (60kg) contest. He prevailed 5-0 and has a tough semifinal lined up against Kazakhstan�s Zakir Safiullin, a silver-medallist from the 2015 edition.
Thapa had won a gold in 2013, a bronze in 2015 and a silver in the 2017 edition of the marquee continental event.
In the women�s draw, former world champion Sarita, who last reached the Asian semis back in 2010 and ended with a gold, defeated Kazakhstan�s Rimma Volossenko in a split decision to make the medal rounds.
Last edition�s silver-medallist Manisha too secured herself at least a bronze by defeating Filipino Petecio Zzaa Nice.
Joining Thapa in the men�s last four stage was Ashish Kumar (75kg), who got the better of Kyrgyzstan�s Omerbek Uulu Behzhigit, also an unanimous verdict.
Thapa, who is also a former world championship bronze-medallist and a two-time national champion, opened the proceedings for India and got busy immediately.
The Indian had a spring in his step as he went about dismantling his clueless opponent. � PTI
