World Boxing Championships: Shiva, Akash off with a bang

Shiva Thapa. Pic/PTI

Five-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (63.5kg) stormed into the second round of the AIBA World Boxing Championships after out-witting Kenya's Victor Nyadera in his opening bout here on Tuesday.

Thapa, competing in his third world championship, produced a fine tactical performance to prevail 5-0 against a spunky rival. The Indian countered the height and reach of Nyadera with his measured counter-attacking approach. The Assam boxer, who won a bronze at the showpiece in 2015, will face Sierra Leone's John Brown on October 30 in the round of 32.

Earlier on Monday night, debutant Akash Sangwan (67kg) also sailed into the second round with a comprehensive 5-0 triumph over Turkey's Furkan Adem. Sangwan, a reigning national champion, will next face Germany's Deniel Krotter, who got a first-round bye. The Indian dominated Adem in a lop-sided contest held late last night.

Another debutant Rohit Mor (57kg) gave India a winning start by outpunching Ecuador's Jean Caicedo 5-0 in a confident opening-round performance this evening. Next up for him is Bosnia and Herzegovina's Alen Rahimic. Asian champion Sanjeet (92kg) received a first-round bye, along with Sachin Kumar (80kg). The tournament has over 600 boxers in attendance from more than 100 countries.

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