The rising star of Indian boxing and the youngest pugilist from the country Shiva Thapa (56kg) clinched a gold medal at the Asian Boxing Championships at Amman in Jordan on Monday.
India, who was suspended internationally for almost a year due to administrative squabbling in the federation, marked the campaign with a gold medal, two silver and a bronze while fighting under the International Boxing Association's flag.
L Devendro Singh (49kg) and Mandeep Jangra (69kg) bagged the silver medals while Manoj Kumar (64kg) won the bronze medal.
The 19-year-old from Assam, hammered Obada Alkabeh of host country on a split decision of 2-1 after fighting out a tactically superior session. Shiva, who made his Olympic debut in London last year, followed the footsteps of Suranjoy Singh (2009) and Rajkumar Sangwan (1994) to register himself as a rare Indian gold-medalist at the premier continental event.
National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu narrated that Shiva fought an excellent session. He applied his brain and ruled all the three rounds. Although the decision may have been split but he was undoubtedly the better boxer among the two.
Another rising star and London Olympian L Devendro Singh (49kg) who faced the Strandja Memorial Tournament winner from Kazakhstan Temertas Zhussupov lost on a split decision of 1-2. Sandhu admitted that it was a very close session. Truly, Devendro fought his heart out and although he lost, he is very satisfied with his performance. For the coach, he is shaping up to be an excellent boxer.
He added that it is a brilliant performance considering the circumstances in Indian boxing. None of his boys disappointed him. Even the ones who lost, gave fine performances for which he is very happy.
Both these boxers are being managed by Olympic Gold Quest and Anglian Medal-Hunt Company.
Mandeep ended up on the losing side following a valiant fight to clinch silver. He lost to 2010 Asian Games gold-medalist Daniyar Yeleussinov of Kazakhstan.
Sandhu commented that Mandeep is very young and inexperienced but he fought very well, displayed a lot of heart and produced a magnificent performance. Everyone expected his to be a one-sided bout but Mandeep replied him blow for blow.
