More punches I give, more chances of winning I have, says Shiva Thapa
Ace Indian boxer Shiva Thapa has assured that he would go all aggressive in the upcoming India Open boxing tournament that is scheduled to start from Monday. The second of the tournament in India would be seeing as many as 35 men and 37 women pugilists, including some huge names, vying for glory.
One of the biggest hopes from the Indian boxing contingent in the India Open would definitely be Thapa. The 25-year-old Assamese had become the first Indian male boxer to win four consecutive Asian medals in his 60kg category with the last one being a bronze in Bangkok.
And now, before he would be switching on to 63kg in order to fight in the Olympics qualifications’ approved weight category, he would be coming into this competition in his preferred 60kg. Thapa revealed that he has seen more success going all out of late and wouldn’t be changing his strategy.
"You saw in the last Asian Championships too that I play much more freely now. Even more than that, I can readily impress the judges now. I am being more aggressive now," said Thapa at the pre-tournament news conference here, reported PTI.
"The more punches I can give, the more chances of winning the rounds I have. This is the style of boxing I have adopted now and our coaches too are helping me with this approach. Santiago Sir is working a lot on my technique and I am building on that," he added, crediting India's chief performance director Santiago Nieva.
The second edition of the India Open would see around 200 pugilists from 16 boxing nations fighting it out for glory at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium. And being one of the six local participants, Thapa would definitely be hoping for vociferous support from the crowd.
"Every boxer is getting ready to give his best. The competition is very strong so we have been training very well for it. We all are ready for the tournament and I would want to wish all the best to my team. I hope we will all be an inspiration to all the youngsters here. I wish more and more boxers come out from the northeast region."
