It was fun to fight in front of partisan crowd: Thapa

The last time he competed at the Asian Championships, Shiva Thapa had to retire hurt but three years later, the teen sensation has more than made up for that by becoming the youngest Indian boxer to win gold at the event defeating a local lad in front of a hugely partisan crowd.

‘The hurt is over. I was carrying it with me for a long time. My shoulder gave way in the last Asian Championship in Korea in 2011 but everything went just perfectly this time,’ the 19-year-old said. The Assam-lad, who last year became the youngest Indian to qualify for the Olympics, put up a commanding performance to beat home favourite Obada Alkabeh on a split decision of 2-1.

‘I had to shut my mind to the noise outside. Being the local boy, he was favourite and everybody was rooting for him.I had to stay focused and not get distracted.’