Belgrade: World Championship Bronze medalist Shiva Thapa has advanced to the quarterfinals of the Men’s Boxing World Championship here. With five pugilists in the quarterfinals, India keeps her fingers crossed to secure as many medal chances on Tuesday night.
Thapa, who won the bronze medal in 2015, got past his French opponent Lounes Hamraoui by a 4-1 split decision in the pre-quarterfinal of the 63.5 kg weight category on Monday.
The five-time Asian championship medalist will lock horns with Kerem Oezmen of Turkey in the quarterfinal to seal the semifinal berth on Tuesday evening.
Thapa is just a win away from securing his second medal in the showpiece event.
Along with Thapa, four other Indians, Akash Kumar (54kg), Nishant (71kg ), Sanjeet (92 Kg), Narender (+92kg) are eying semifinal spot when they take the ring on Tuesday.
Akash will face Yoel Finol of Venezuela in the 54 kg quarterfinal.
In the 71 kg category, Nishant will take on Vadim Musaev of Russia, while Narender will be up against Mahammad Abdullayev from Azerbaijan, and Sanjeet will lock horns with Aziz Abbas Mouhiidine of Italy.
The Gold medal winner will get a cash prize of $100,000, the Silver medalist of $50,000 and two Bronze medalists will be awarded $25,000 each.
