Akash stuns Shiva; enters 67kg Boxing Arena finals

Gujarat: National champion Akash Sangwan toppled World and Asian medallist Shiva Thappa 3-2 in a thrilling semi-final bout to enter the men’s 67kg final at the boxing arena of the National Games on Tuesday.

The taller Services boxer with a southpaw stance performed without pressure and mixed his combinations and body shots well against Shiva, who tried his best to catch up in the third round but lost narrowly.

A grief-stricken Nikhil Dubey, who received the news of his coach’s death in a road accident, stunned Thailand Open champion Sumit Kundu 4-1 to enter the 75kg final.

Young Poonam relied on her fast hands to upset Worlds bronze medallist Jamuna Boro 4-1 in a closely-fought 57kg contest.

Olympic bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain and Worlds medallist Saweety Boora in women’s 75kg, Olympian Simranjit Kaur and Commonwealth Games medallist Jaismine Lamboria in 66kg and double Commonwealth Games medallist Muhammad Hussamuddin and World youth champion Sachin Siwach Junior in men’s 57kg set up mouth-watering summit clashes.