Besides Shiva Thapa, India’s top archer Jayanta also qualified for the Olympics for the first time.

Shiva entered the 56 kg category at the Asian Olympic qualifying event at Astana in Kazakhstan by beating Satoshi Simizu of Japan who was an Asian championship bronze medalist in 2009. He surpassed the record of 19 year old L Devendro Singh of Manipur, who had qualified in 1996 for the Atlanta Olympics as the youngest Indian to qualify for the Olympics.

In the words of NIS coach, Amar Deka who was Shiva’s first coach, “Shiva was enrolled at Sports Authority of India, Guwahati centre in the year 2003. From the very beginning he showed the capabilitiy of becoming a top class boxer.” It is interesting to note that Shiva was behind his Japanese opponent by 6-7 points in the first round, but finally he won the match by 31-17 points.

Shiva’s success at the sub junior and the junior level competitions had earned him a selection to the Service Sports Control Board (SSCB) where he got the chance to hone his skills under the guidance of top Cuban coaches who helped him to become a top class boxer. Shiva’s father Padam Thapa taught him about boxing before enrolling him for professional training. Shiva won the gold in the 56 kg category of the Winner International Boxing Tournament held at Belgrade in Serbia in 2011 and he was also the silver medalist at the 2010 Youth Olympics.

Shiva’s victory in the qualifying match has brought pride to the country. The Assam government has announced financial aid of rupees 10 lakhs to this Olympic qualifier. The announcement was made by Captain Robin Bordoloi, MLA of East Guwahati at a function to fecilitate Shiva which was organized by the Assam Amateur Boxing Association (AABA) recently. Assam’s Chief Minister, Tarun Gogoi had said that the boxer has brought honor to Assam and the entire country. Commenting on the Assam State Government’s announcement on help to Shiva Thapa, Nanda Kirati Dewan, publicity secretary of All Assam Gorkha Students’ Union has said that the state government had earlier promised to provide financial help to Shiva Thapa in the year 2010, but that was not fulfilled. However, he expressed his hope that this time the commitment would be honored.

The most interesting part of Thapa’s success is that the banned militant organization, United Liberation Front of Asom (ULFA) has also welcomed Shiva Thapa’s qualifying victory. In a press release the organization’s Assistant Publicity Secretary, Arunoday Asom, has said that Shiva Thapa has doubled the honor of Assamese people during this year’s Rongali Bihu festival. ULFA is also proud of this boxer and wishes his success in the Olympics.