Indian boxer Thapa eager to clinch a medal
At an age when youngsters usually prepare to take admission in colleges, Shiva Thapa, the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympics, has a much bigger task to handle.
When the quadrennial sports extravaganza begins in London next month, Thapa, 18, will be one of the boxers touted as a strong medal prospect, that too in a category (56kg category) which is considered as the most competitive in the sport.
Thapa is aware of the enormity of the task he is expected to handle in London. But he says philosophically he will deliver his 100 per cent and the rewards will automatically come his way.
"Every Olympian goes into the Olympics with an aim to win a medal and my target is also the same. Whenever in the ring, I give my 100 per cent and that has always helped me achieve whatever I have so far. I'll do the same thing at the Olympics and I believe if I play up to my potential I can get a reward in form of a medal," Thapa told Mail Today.
Does he feel nervous going into the Olympics at 18? "It's going to be my first Olympics, but there's always a first time in whatever you do. I'm not nervous, but determine to do my best and leave the best impression," he said.
"Before the qualification my father used to say that 18 is too young an age to qualify for the Olympics. But I told him that at this age boxers have won Olympic gold. I take inspiration from young achievers in order to keep my morale high," he said.
Thapa first hogged headlines when
he won the silver at the Youth World Championships and the Youth Olympic Games in 2010. Then, in his first senior tournament in 2011 in Belgrade, Serbia, he created a bigger flutter by showing the door to world champion Delakliev Detelin of Bulgaria on way to clinching the gold.
The victory made him a sensation. When seasoned boxerAkhil Kumar failed to make it to the Olympics in the first qualifying tournament, the Indian Boxing Federation selected Thapa for the second and the final qualifier. In one of his most inspiring display of talent, he upset a stellar field and qualified for the Olympics with a gold medal.
Thapa says he will not let such victories go in vain and will take an inspiration from them. "I have beaten some of the toughest boxers and that has given me a psychological edge at a young age. I am sure I won't feel nervous if I fight against them in London. But I am not complacent. I know those who I beat are eager to take revenge. So, I'm doing my level best to prepare."
With less than 40 days to go for the Games, he is trying to avoid all kind of distractions. "Qualifying for the Olympics is bound to attract a lot of attention and a lot of people want to communicate with me. But, for the time being, I want to have limited interaction with the outside world as it will help me keep the preparations on track," he said.
To give his preparations finishing touches, Thapa, as part of the India team, is now in Dublin, Ireland, on a training-cum-competition trip. After spending a few days at home, the team will go to London. "Ireland and London trips are very timely. Since both the places have cold weather, the trips are expected to help us adjust to the local conditions that we are expecting during the Olympics," he said.
It will be interesting to see if Thapa becomes the youngest Indian medallist in boxing - and make history
Indian boxer Thapa eager to clinch a medal : Run up to the Olympics, News - India Today
