Shiva Thapa has become the first Indian boxer to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil after a 3-0 victory over Kazakhstan’s Kairat Yeraliyev at the semi-finals of the AIBA Asian and Oceanic Olympic qualifiers in Qian’an, China.
Thapa is ranked third in the AIBA world rankings in his category, and was the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympic Games in London in 2012, at 18 years of age.
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Olympic bronze medalist MC Mary Kom has also made the semi-finals at the event, with her bout to be held later in the day.
Laishram Devendro Singh had also progressed to the semi-finals, but lost to the top-seeded Roger Ladon of the Philippines this morning in the 49kg category, but could still have a shot at Olympic participation if he beats the loser of the other semi-final.
Devendro had progressed as far as the quarter-finals at London 2012 before losing to Beijing 2008 bronze medallist Paddy Barnes.
MC Mary Kom and Thapa are now the only Indian names remaining at the tournament, with Satish Kumar, Sarita Devi, Dheeraj Rangi, Vikas Krishan Yadav and Manoj Kumar all crashing out of the tournament in its various stages.
Thapa crashed out of the London Olympics with a first round loss to Oscar Valdez Fierro of Mexico, and the bantamweight will look to better his results in Rio this year.
