Shiva Thapa, six others enter semifinals of Olympic Test event for boxing
Tokyo: Four-time Asian medallist Shiva Thapa (63kg) secured himself a medal at the Olympic Test event for boxing by winning his quarterfinal bout on Tuesday while six other Indians made the last-four stage without even stepping inside the ring here.
Thapa overpowered local favourite Yuki Hirakawa in a 5-0 verdict to fight his way into the medal rounds. The seasoned boxer from Assam claimed his third national title earlier this month.
He will be up against another Japanese, Daisuke Narimatsu, in the semifinals on Wednesday. Narimatsu got a bye in the opening round.
However, for his six other compatriots, including former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen (51kg), a medal was guaranteed without a fight as they either got byes or were helped by the small size of their respective draws.
Apart from Zareen, Asian silver-medallist Sumit Sangwan (91kg), Ashish (69kg), Vanhlimpuia (75kg), Simranjeet Kaur (60kg) and Pooja Rani (75kg) have made the semifinals.
Sangwan, who was crowned national champion earlier this month, will square off against Kazakhstan's Aibek Oralbay.
Zareen, who hit the headlines recently for a bitter row over selection for next year's Olympic qualifiers where six-time world champion M C Mary Kom has been preferred over her without a trial, will face Japan's Sana Kawano on Wednesday.
Former Asian Games bronze-medallist Rani will be up against Brazil's Beatriz Soares. Rani had won a silver medal at the Asina Championships earlier this year.
Opponents for the other Indian boxers will be known later after the quarterfinal bouts conclude on Tuesday evening.
The only disappointment for the country's contingent was the quarterfinal exit of Anant Choapde, who went down 2-3 in a hard-fought contest against local hope Tosho Kashiwasaki.
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Opposition slams PM Modi’s 'puncture repair' remark, calls it insensitive, divisive
New Delhi: Prime Minister Narendra Modi's recent remarks about Muslim youth "repairing punctures" have sparked strong criticism from Opposition leaders across the political spectrum. Speaking at the inauguration of an airport in Hisar, Haryana, the Prime Minister alleged misuse of Waqf properties and suggested that honest use of these assets could have improved the livelihoods of Muslim youth.
“If Waqf properties had been used honestly, Muslim youths wouldn’t have to earn a living by repairing bicycle punctures,” the Prime Minister stated. He also alleged that land mafias benefited from these properties instead of the intended beneficiaries, including Dalits, backward communities, and widows. He said the recently amended Waqf law would curb such misuse.
Reacting sharply, AIMIM chief Asaduddin Owaisi hit back, questioning what the government had done for the poor—Hindus or Muslims—in its 11 years in power. He also accused the Centre of further weakening already fragile Waqf laws.
Congress MP Imran Pratapgarhi condemned the Prime Minister’s choice of words, calling it language typical of online trolls. “Muslims don’t just fix punctures. There are no jobs, and the youth are left with no other options. This doesn’t suit the stature of a Prime Minister,” he said.
Samajwadi Party leader Abu Azmi raised questions about BJP’s commitment to inclusivity, asking why the party does not give election tickets to Muslims.
Congress spokesperson Supriya Shrinate further questioned why PM Modi did not pay homage to Dr. B.R. Ambedkar on his birth anniversary and asked why BJP has not appointed a Dalit Chief Minister.
The Waqf Amendment Bill, now passed into law, was opposed by the Congress and other Opposition parties, who allege that the legislation targets the minority community and aims to seize control of Waqf properties. The BJP, however, maintains that the amendments are necessary for efficient management of these assets.
मोदी ने कहा कि अगर वक़्फ़ की संपत्तियों का ठीक से इस्तेमाल होता तो मुसलमान नौजवानों को पंक्चर नहीं बनाना पड़ता। अगर संघ परिवार की सोच और संपत्ति देशहित में इस्तेमाल होती, तो मोदी को चाय नहीं बेचनी पड़ती। पिछले 11 साल में मोदी ने ग़रीब भारतीयों — हिंदू या मुसलमान — के लिए क्या…
— Asaduddin Owaisi (@asadowaisi) April 14, 2025
