Asian Boxing Championships 2022: Shiva Thapa reaches to the final, just one step away from 'Golden Punch'

Five-time Asian medalist Shiva Thapa (63.5kg) continued his stellar form by storming into the final of the ongoing Asian Boxing Championships 2022 in Amman, Jordan on Thursday. Now Shiva will face Uzbekistan's Ruslan Abdullayev for the title on Saturday for his second Asian title.

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In the semi-finals, Shiva faced 2019 Asian champion Bakhodur Usmanov of Tajikistan. Shiva used his vast experience and tactical acumen to register a 4:1 victory over his young rival. Earlier, he had also defeated Bakhodur in the semi-finals of the 2021 Asian Championships. But he lost to Asian Games silver medallist Baatarsukhiin Chinzorig of Mongolia in the final.

Thapa, the 2013 Asian champion, won silver in 2017 and 2021 apart from winning bronze in 2015 and 2019. He will be the first male boxer in the history of the Asian Championships to win his sixth medal on Saturday.

On the other hand, Thailand Open champions Sumit and Govind Kumar Sahani lost their semi-final matches and had to be content with the bronze medal. Kazakhstan's Sanzhar Tashkenbay defeated Govind (48kg) by 4-0. At the same time, reigning Asian champion Jafarov Saidjamshid of Uzbekistan defeated Sumit by 5:0.

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Meanwhile, in the 92kg semi-final bout, Narender lost 0:5 against Uzbekistan's Mullojonov Lazizbek and settled for the bronze medal. While, Mohammad Husamuddin (57kg), who had a cut above his right eye in the previous bout, could not enter the ring and had to be content with a bronze medal.

On Friday, five women boxers will compete for the gold medal in the final of the Asian Boxing Championships 2022. Which include Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Parveen (63kg), and Saweety Boora (81kg). The other women boxers competing in the final will be competition debutants Alfiya Pathan (81kg), and Minakshi (52kg).