Manish Kaushik endured his comeback march with a convincing win over Sandeep Doni of Andhra Pradesh to transport into the quarter-finals (63.5kg) of the Elite Men’s National Boxing Championships right here on Tuesday. The 2019 World Championships bronze medalist remained heading in the right direction for a high-profile conflict with the seasoned Shiva Thapa.
The two have produced some riveting contests within the lightwelter class at house within the 2018-19 seasons. Kaushik upstaged the seasoned Thapa in home competitions. Known for his technical abilities and calm temperament, Kaushik quickly established himself as India’s No.1 boxer in lightwelter.
Kaushik, who hails from India’s boxing hub Bhiwani, Haryana had a meteoric upward thrust, claiming silver on the 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games adopted via the sector championships bronze the following 12 months. In no time, Kaushik punched his price tag for the Tokyo Olympics, the place he fought arduous however misplaced to Great Britain’s Luke McCormack within the first around.
It has since been downhill for the 26-year-old with accidents pegging him again. First, it used to be a tear in his biceps (proper hand) suffered right through the Olympic qualifiers in 2020. It required surgical treatment and took a very long time to heal. Then a decrease again damage closing 12 months additional spelled crisis. Though he used to be within the nationwide camp, Kaushik used to be suffering to get well and regain his 2020 shape.
In between, Thapa bounced again to cement his position within the India workforce and received silver on the Asian Championships in November, turning into probably the most a success male boxer within the event’s historical past. But forward of crucial season, Thapa and Kaushik’s trail appears to be like set to pass once more.
On Tuesday, Kaushik, representing Services, confirmed glimpses of his previous self with a power-packed efficiency towards Doni, the referee preventing the competition in the second one around. Both Kaushik and Shiva will wish to win any other around for a mouth-watering match-up within the semi-finals. The closing time they met within the trials for the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games, Shiva used to be the winner.
“Manish used to be nonetheless now not absolutely have compatibility however steadily he has received self assurance. At the Nationals right here he has appeared sharp and hungry,” said Services coach Jai Singh Patil, who worked closely with Kaushik during his injury phase.
“When a boxer comes back from such a low phase, it takes time to find his rhythm in the ring. Even during the Services championships, he was not at his best. He was tentative. But in the last two bouts he has improved. Today, he has looked his best in a long time, showing good reflexes, speed and footwork. We expect a Shiva-Kaushik clash in the semi-finals. In a way that will be the final,” Patil mentioned.
Mohd Hussamuddin (57kg) and Gaurav Solanki (60kg) additionally cruised to the quarter-finals. Hussamuddin beat Lallawmawma via unanimous determination and Solanki beat Harendra Singh in his round-of-16 bout, additionally via the similar margin.