Shiva in semi-final of National Boxing Championship

Defending champion Shiva Thapa was assured of a second successive National Championship medal after he advanced to the semi-finals of the event here today.

The World Championships bronze-medallist, who is representing Assam, defeated Andhra Pradesh's V Durga Rao in his quarterfinal bout to enter the last-four stage.

The three-time Asian Championships medallist will be up against Punjab's Palwinder Singh in his lightweight (60kg) semifinal clash tomorrow.

Three-time King's Cup gold-medallist K Shyam Kumar (49kg), who is competing for the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), also entered the medal round with a win over local favourite K Kranthi.

Shyam Kumar had won a silver medal in the previous edition of the championship.
 

Former national champion Madan Lal (56kg), competing for the Services Sports Control Board (SSCB) defeated Manipur's M Romajit to enter the semifinals.

Over 300 boxers from 37 states and sports promotion boards are competing in the championships.