GUWAHATI, May 22 -�Local boy Shiva Thapa, the Asian Championship bronze medallist outwitted Hellene Damien of Mauritius 5-0 in a quarterfinal match of the ongoing 2nd India Open International Boxing Tournament at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Sarusajai here today.
Shiva enjoyed a sweet homecoming as he eased past his opponent from Mauritius in style. Shiva dominated the proceeding right from the start and forced the opponent to adopt defensive tactics. With this victory Shiva confirmed a medal in the 60kg category. �Never have I contested such a tall boxer before. So my strategy was to attack from inside and I am glad I could execute with perfection,� said Thapa after the win.
Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal (52kg) also made it to the semifinals on the third day of the championship. Sachin Siwach, former world youth champion, continued his dazzling performance and knocked out the 2018 Asian Games silver medallist Rogen Siaga Ladon of Philippines 4-1 to make the last-four stage in the 52kg category.
Amit had some problems at the initial stage but as time passed on he came back to his form and started dominating his opponent from Thailand � Chakapong Chanpirom and finally settled for a clear 5-0 victory to confirm a semifinal berth.
After the fight Amit said, �It was a tight competition. Several boxers have changed their weight categories from 49kg to 52kg like me. So I had to be careful and prepare separate strategies for each,�.
Kavinder Singh Bisht (56kg) continued his fine form after winning a gold at the GeeBee Boxing Tournament and a silver at the Asian Championships this year. He held his nerves to stave off some stiff resistance from Mario Fernandez of Philippines and register a 3-2 win in a split decision. Mohammed Hussamuddin was not so lucky in the same category as he fell to a 2-3 defeat to Thailand�s former Asian champion Chatchai Decha Butdee in a hard-fought bout.
In 49kg, Asian Championships silver medallist Deepak outclassed Thailand�s Samak Saehan 4-1 to advance to the semifinals.
Former World Championships bronze medallist Gaurav Bidhuri also progressed into the last-four stage of 56kg with a commanding 5-0 win over Turkmenistan�s Bayramhan Permanov. In 52kg, Commonwealth Games champion Gaurav Solanki did not waste any time to assert his supremacy over Mauritius�s Louis Fleurot en route to a 5-0 win.
Last year�s India Open 60kg champion Manish Kaushik began the successful defence of his title with a 5-0 win over Thiwa Janthacumpa of Thailand. 2018 World Youth bronze medallist Ankit showed his maturity in his 5-0 demolition of Nepal�s Prakash Limbu Ijam.
