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Team India have started their Commonwealth Games 2022 boxing campaign on a high note as Shiva Thapa defeated Pakistan boxer Suleman Baloch in the Round of 32 contest of the men's boxing 63.5 kg category at the National Exhibition Centre in Solihull.
The 2015 World bronze medalist, Shiva Thapa managed to win the first round by connecting his punches on the Pakistan boxer. At the starting of the second round, Suleman Baloch threw powerful right hooks but failed to make a proper contact and even lost his footing at a certain point.
After comfortably winning the first two rounds, Shiva Thapa maintained his composure in the third round to pull off a 5-0 win in his opening match in the Birmingham Games 2022. The 28-year-old Indian boxer dominated his Pakistani counterpart throughout the match.
After winning his first match, Thapa has advanced to the Round of 16 and is set to face 2021 world bronze medallist Reese Lynch. The Indian boxer was far superior than his Pakistani opponent and outclassed him in all the three rounds.
A total of 12 boxers comprising four women and eight men are included in the Indian boxing contingent. Apart from Thapa, Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain, 2019 World Championships silver medalist Amit Panghal are the prime contenders to win medal for India in the ongoing Birmingham Games 2022.