Pugilist Shiva Thapa of Assam storms into semis at Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament

GUWAHATI: Pugilist Shiva Thapa (63 kg) of Assam outpunched Ireland's George Bates at the quarter-final clash to earn a place at the semi-finals at 71st Strandja Memorial Boxing Tournament in Bulgaria.

Indian boxers Sonia Lather (57kg), Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Mohammed Hussamuddin (57kg) earned a place at the semis. Nikhat Zareen (51kg) lost to America's Christina Cruz in the quarters.

Last year, boxer Nikhat Zareen kicked off her 2019 season on a high note, winning the 51kg gold at the 70th Strandja Memorial International tournament.

Zareen came through a stunning run of form during the competition last year, winning all her bouts with ease and toppling the Philippines’ Magno Irish 5-0 in the final to win her second international gold medal since recovering from a career-threatening shoulder injury.

Nikhat beat Giovanna Marchese of Italy, Yana Burym of Belarus and Sandra Drabik of Poland on her way to the championship bout.

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