Boxers Shiva Thapa, Mary Kom, Sarita Devi enter India Open semis

Shiva Thapa

MC Mary Kom (51kg) and Shiva Thapa (60kg) were among the prominent names assured of medals as host nation continued to dominate the ring in the USD100,000 India Open boxing tournament for men and women yesterday. Five-time World and Asian champion Mary Kom had no trouble in overwhelming compatriot K Bina Devi. Kom, 35, prevailed 5-0 in a lopsided contest.

Also advancing was L Sarita Devi (60kg) as home favourites enjoyed another stellar day and looked good to walk away with most of the medals. World bronze-medallist Shiva, also a three-time Asian championships medal winner, was up against Uzbek Sherbek Rakhmatulloev. The top seed started off on a cautious note and spent the first three minutes getting a measure of his rival.

Both the boxers let it rip in the second round and exchanged a fair number of blows before Shiva started taking control of the proceedings. Rakhmatulloev, on the other hand, began to drain out as he resorted to bending and holding to slow things down. Shiva stepped it up in the final three minutes to get the judges' nod in a split decision.

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