Having won 14 medals at the national and international levels and being supported by a not-for-profit organisation like Olympic Gold Quest at just 17 must be an overwhelming feeling.
Shiva Thapa is India's very own boxing prodigy and fights in the 54 kg weight category. He recently won silver medals at the Youth Olympic Games at Singapore and World Youth Boxing Championship. He has also defeated World No.2 boxer Delakliev Detelin of Bulgaria and won the Belgrade Winner Tournament. Originally hailing from Guwahati, he trains at the Pune based Army Sports Institute.
NXg caught up with him for an exclusive interview.
Tell us about your journey to the boxing ring.
I am a soccer fan and have been playing it since I was nine. But then, it is a team sport and I wanted to do an individual sport. I saw Mike Tyson's fight on TV one day. I loved it and he has remained my role model from that day onwards. He inspired me to start boxing. Initially, my mom did not allow me to practise boxing, but my dad supported me. He was my first coach. I participated in local competitions and was successful in winning them. From there, I moved to national level competitions like the Junior National Boxing Championship at Noida where I won gold. My first international competition was the Hyder Ali Cup. I won gold there too. My coaches were worried about how I would perform but I wasn't nervous; I was really excited. It didn't matter to me if I won or lost. I gained a lot of exposure there.
Mike Tyson was your inspiration. Any other role models?
Mike Tyson was and is my role model. I have watched videos of all his fights and I take in all the positive points. I try and inculcate those into my style of boxing. Also, Mohammad Ali is the best technical boxer according to me.
How does it feel to win so many medals and strong support from OGQ at such a young age?
Really great. I believe in giving my best and my ultimate goal is to win a gold at the Olympics. I am grateful to OGQ. I have received tremendous support from them. In one fight, I had muscle problems. They arranged for doctors and masseurs and I was able to participate.
In which competition will you next represent India?
Asian Boxing Champion, in South Korea in August.
What do you like best about boxing?
Everything about it. I was born to be a boxer.
Boxing is still not a major sport in India, like cricket...
A lot of peoplelove boxing in India. After 2008, when Vijender Singh won a bronze, boxing was very popular. He is a role model and inspiration for young boxers and athletes. The media should also highlight other sports the country participates in. This provides an incentive to the athletes and then, we will be definitely bring home more medals than we are doing now.
What about your education?
I am in Std. XII now. It's difficult to focus on both. Currently, I give 80 per cent to boxing and only 20 per cent to studies. Once the championship is over, I take rest and get to studying. Sometimes, I do not even take rest. I definitely want to graduate.
Your take on fitness.
A strict diet and no junk or oily food. I personally love chicken soup and have it quite often. I believe everybody needs to be fit. Have a balanced diet. One should feel good about one's body.
What do you do in your free time?
I watch a lot of fights. I listen to songs especially from movies like “Rocky” before a fight to motivate myself and feel all pumped up.
A message for the budding boxers or athletes of our country...
Actually this is for everybody. Whatever you want to achieve in your life, work towards it. Be true to yourself. Be focused and do not get distracted from your ultimate goal in life. Work now and enjoy the rest of your life. Do this and the world is with you.
Describe yourself in five words.
Hardworking, focused, punctual, willing and I am the champion!
