Shiva Thapa
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A brief profile
July 28, 2016: The Times of India
Four years ago at the Lon don Olympics, a young and raw Shiva Thapa's dream ended in a flash - a loss in the first round. Back then, at 18, he was the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympics. But this time, Thapa is ready for the big stage at Rio and confident of ruling in the ring with his new-found aggression. Excerpts from an exclusive interview
You were the first Indian boxer to qualify for Rio. That gave you enough time to prepare for the Games. How's it been this time?
The one thing that I am working on is my aggression. I am a much more aggressive boxer now but I have to ensure that I never go overboard. Because if you lose control over aggression, you will end up looking absolutely silly inside the ring.This will be your second Olympics. How will the experience gained in the first one help you? Did you find it difficult to overcome that disappointment of London?
When I went for my first Olympics, it was a dream come true. All the motivation was overwhelming and at London, I was pretty focused on winning. But, unfortunately, it got over in a flash. I was very dejected. However, I believe that there's one good thing about me which is I find something good in the most negative of situations so, I made up my mind to make it big at the Rio Olympics.
Now, I am a different person and a better boxer for sure. The last four years have been spent in making myself tougher and better. The Olympics are always a huge occasion, there is so much more we attach to it than just the competition, and any of us who have qualified who says they are not nervous, are not telling the truth. The experience I gained last time, I'm sure that will help. I hope it's going to be less overwhelming. I have now taken part in two World Championships, two Asian Championships, one Olympics, one Asian Games and one Commonwealth Games. I have fought against many different opponents, which has taken my boxing to a higher level. There is a lot more self belief in me than before. And the big stage and the spotlight does not make me nervous anymore.Boxing coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu said will be a different kind of pressure on Indian boxers since there is no federation in India. What's your view?
It's been disappointing, no doubt. That's why when I won my Olympic quota in China, it was more like overcoming a huge mental battle.Does absence of Cuban coach BI Fernandes affect the preparation? How much the Indian boxers are missing the Cuban coach?
I was disheartened at that time and he was an experienced coach. But, I kept believing in myself, and I still do.Does it make a difference that only three boxers have qualified for Rio, unlike London where there were eight?I am hopeful that, in the years to come, we will see more and more Indian boxers participating and qualifying for the Olympics.How do you explain the decrease in number of qualification for the Olympics this time? Did the uncertainty over having a federation affect the boxers?
Most certainly. Getting more tournaments and exposure trips, has definitely been a hurdle in the way of many boxers. See, so much of the scoring and judging in boxing has become subjective, and you can't do much beyond what the judge has put on his scoresheet. But we have hardly got a chance to compete under these new rules. In Patiala (at the National camp), we may have the best sparring partners, but anyone will tell you that training and competition are completely different.Let us in on your strategy for the big eventI'm working on blending my style, a calculated fight with adequate aggression. The focus is on building more endurance and strength, and to get tougher. We usually work on speed, but, right now, we are focusing on my strength and power. Different training sessions are planned everyday.
Who do you think will be your biggest challenge in Olympics and why?My journey to Rio has been the toughest in my life. I have trained very hard for it, and prepared my whole life for this day. Everything, including all challenges, henceforth can be tackled. In my journey, I have fought against a variety of opponents, whether it was the World Championships or the Asian Qualifiers, and that has helped immensely with my confidence and growth I am aware that there would be pressure this time and I am ready for it. I am much more comfortable with the spotlight and the big stage doesn't unnerve me anymore.How are you keeping yourself motivated for the big stage?When we go for a fight, it is a very quiet environment, a quiet world where you forget everything, you may even forget your name, and in that moment when they call out your country, that word “India” leaves a deep impression on my mind. I drift into a different world, a different life where all I can think is; now I need to “go and get it!” I am filled with an inspiration to see the magic of my lifetime's worth of training. The motivation for me has always been to win and on any grounds. Everything else is inconsequential.
2015
Bronze at World Championship in Doha
The Times of India, October 12, 2015
Ritu Sejwal
Shiva settles for bronze in Doha
Shiva Thapa's run at the World Championship in Doha was halted by Uzbekistan's Murodjon Akhmadaliev.The Uzbek, who upset top seed K Yeraliyev of Kazakhstan in the second round, won 3-0 on points in a closely-fought 56kg semifinal as the Indian settled for a bronze.
Shiva became only the third Indian pugilist to win a medal at the World Championship.
2018
August 16, 2018: The Times of India
BOXING
Shiva Thapa (60 Kg)
AGE: 24 years; PLACE OF BIRTH: Guwahati, Assam; STANCE: Orthodox; Club: Army It has been a rollercoaster ride for the Guwahati boy since becoming the youngest Indian to qualify for an Olympics six years back in London. Shiva has been in tremendous form of late, with podium finishes in almost all the international events he participated in recently, including two bronze medals in 2018 — India Open International and Ulaanbaatar Cup — after going up from bantamweight to lightweight last year.
