Smooth sailing for Thapa and Sumit

Belgrade, October 30

Five-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (63.5kg) and debutant Sumit (75kg) sailed into the pre-quarterfinals of the AIBA men’s World Boxing Championships here today after notching up facile victories in their second-round bouts.

While Sumit defeated Tajikistan’s Abdumalik Boltaev 5-0, Thapa also prevailed in a unanimous verdict against Sierra Leone’s John Brown in the round of 32.

However, Sachin (80kg), who got a first-round bye, lost 1-4 to American Robby Gonzales in another last-32 contest. Also going out was Govind Sahani (48kg) after he lost a dramatic pre-quarterfinal against Georgia’s Sakhil Alakhverdovi.

Sahani won the opening round on a split decision but lost the last two rounds against the gritty Georgian to lose the bout 0-4.

On Friday, Nishant Dev (71kg) rallied to beat Merven Clair 4-1 to secure a pre-quarters berth. — PTI