Ace Indian boxer Shiva Thapa began his Commonwealth Games campaign on a rousing note by defeating Pakistan's Suleman Baloch in the first round of the 63.5kg category, on Friday.
The 28-year-old Thapa hardly broke a sweat as he registered a comprehensive 5-0 win over Baloch to move to the Round of 16 in the light welter weight category.
The decision from the judges was unanimous at the NEC Arena.
Thapa, five-time Asian Championship medallist, was technically far superior to Baloch and landed a flurry of sharp punches on his opponent.
The former world championship bronze medallist also defended well as he danced around the ring with ease. At one point, Baloch lunged forward to punch the Indian but Thapa effortlessly moved out of the way as the Pakistan boxer fell on the canvas.
The 28-year-old, who was eliminated in the pre-quarters of Glasgow 2014 in his only CWG appearance prior to these Games, will next face Reese Lynch of Scotland in the round of 16 on Sunday.
This also kicked off in style India's campaign in the boxing ring, where they have some exciting prospects in reigning world champion Nikhat Zareen, Olympic medallist Lovlina Borgohain and world championship silver medallist Amit Panghal.
India would look to eclipse their Gold Coast's record tally of three gold, three silver and three bronze medals.
Birmingham: India's Shiva Thapa in action against Pakistan's Suleman Baloch in the Round of 32 boxing match at the Commonwealth Games 2022.
(Photo: PTI)
From the highs of winning a World Championship bronze in 2015, to the debacle at the 2016 Rio Olympics, followed by his failure to make the Tokyo Games, the Guwahati boxer's life has come a full cycle.
His current season also began on a disappointing note, having made a quarterfinal exit in the World Championships in Belgrade, while at the prestigious Strandja he returned medal less, but Thapa is determined to win his maiden CWG medal.
"Definitely it -- a CWG medal -- motivates me a lot. It's a very individual thing, sometimes pressure works and then you have the responsibility," Thapa said after his win.
"We are all elite athletes here, representing our country. Everyone is hoping to win a gold medal here," the five-time Asian Championships medallist added.
The nimble-footed Thapa was at his calculative best against his Pakistani opponent who started off aggressively, exploiting his height to the fullest.
An agile Thapa ensured that his opponent had some misses up front to tire him out before going for the kill, bringing all his experience to play from second round onwards.
He landed some quick jabs as the Pakistani lost control for a split second in the remaining minutes, and there was no way out for Thapa.
"It was about maintaining our defence well. We did not want to go for the aggressive hooks and upper cut up front," India coach Narender Rana, who helped Thapa in his formative years at the Army Sports Institute Pune, said.
"Guarding against injury was the main thing in our agenda. He has a long way to go here -- four more bouts to be precise," he summed up Thapa's gold medal ambition at the ongoing CWG.
(With inputs from PTI)
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)