Shiva Thapa – Famous Boxer From Assam And Arjuna Award Winner

Early Life and Family Background

Shiva Thapa was born on December 8, 1993, in Guwahati, Assam. He is the youngest among six siblings in a family deeply connected to combat sports. His father, Padam Thapa, was a karate instructor, which meant discipline, physical training, and mental strength were part of his upbringing from an early age.

Growing up, Shiva was heavily influenced by his elder brother Gobind Thapa, who was a successful state-level boxer in Assam. Watching his brother train and compete motivated Shiva to pursue boxing seriously. International boxing legends, especially Mike Tyson, further inspired him to dream big and aim for excellence.

Balancing academics and intense training was never easy. Shiva often woke up before dawn to train while continuing his studies. His family made significant sacrifices to support his sporting ambitions, investing time, effort, and resources to help him succeed.

Early Boxing Career and Youth Success

Shiva Thapa began competing at the international level at a very young age. In 2008, he won a bronze medal at the Children Asia International Sports Games held in Russia and followed it up with a gold medal at the Haider Aliyev Cup. These early victories established him as a rising talent in Indian boxing.

His performances earned him selection for the 2009 Junior World Boxing Championships in Armenia, where he won a bronze medal, becoming the standout performer among the Indian contingent. His rapid progress made him one of the most promising young boxers in the country.

In 2010, Shiva Thapa qualified for the Summer Youth Olympics, where he secured a silver medal in the 54 kg category. This achievement brought him international recognition and marked his transition from a talented prospect to a serious medal contender.

Historic Qualification for the 2012 London Olympics

Shiva Thapa created history in 2012 by becoming the youngest Indian boxer ever to qualify for the Olympic Games. At just 18 years of age, he won gold at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Astana, Kazakhstan, securing his ticket to the London 2012 Olympics in the 56 kg category.

At the Olympics, he faced a tough opponent in Mexican boxer Oscar Valdez. Despite a strong showing, Shiva lost the bout in the opening round. However, qualifying for the Olympics at such a young age was itself a remarkable achievement and a major milestone in Indian boxing.

Continued Growth and Asian Championship Dominance

Rather than being discouraged, Shiva Thapa used his Olympic experience as motivation. In 2013, he became the youngest Indian boxer to win gold at the Asian Boxing Championships, held in Amman, Jordan. This victory confirmed his status as one of Indias finest boxing talents.

Over the years, Shiva built an extraordinary record at the Asian Boxing Championships, becoming the first Indian male boxer to win six medals at the event. His medal tally includes gold, silver, and bronze medals across multiple editions, showcasing his consistency and longevity at the elite level.

World Boxing Championships and Global Recognition

In 2015, Shiva Thapa won a bronze medal at the AIBA World Boxing Championships, becoming only the third Indian boxer to achieve this feat at the time. This accomplishment placed him among the top boxers globally and earned him widespread respect within the international boxing community.

He continued to perform at the highest level, participating in major international tournaments such as the World Series of Boxing, Olympic test events, and elite invitational competitions across Europe and Asia.

Rio 2016 Olympics and Beyond

Shiva Thapa qualified for the 2016 Rio Olympics, marking his second appearance at the Olympic Games by the age of 22. At Rio, he faced Cuban boxer Robeisy Ramirez, who later went on to win the gold medal. Shiva suffered an early exit but demonstrated immense courage and determination despite injuries.

Following Rio, he remained a dominant force in Asian boxing, winning medals at events in 2017, 2019, and 2021, and securing gold at the Tokyo Olympic Test Event in 2019.

Arjuna Award and National Recognition

In recognition of his outstanding achievements and consistent excellence, Shiva Thapa was awarded the Arjuna Award in 2016 by the Government of India. The award was presented at Rashtrapati Bhavan, honoring his contribution to Indian boxing on the international stage.

He has also received multiple state and national honors, including being named Assamese of the Year and receiving sports excellence awards for his contributions to Indian sports.

Personal Life and Professional Support

Shiva Thapa is employed with Oil and Natural Gas Corporation Limited (ONGC) and has been supported by organizations such as Olympic Gold Quest, which played a crucial role in his training and international exposure.

Beyond boxing, he actively participates in social initiatives, charity events, and youth motivation programs. His disciplined lifestyle, humility, and dedication make him a role model both inside and outside the ring.

Legacy and Inspiration

Today, Shiva Thapa is widely regarded as one of the greatest boxers from Assam and a cornerstone of modern Indian boxing. His journey from Guwahati to the global stage highlights the power of determination, family support, and relentless hard work.

For young athletes, especially from Northeast India, Shiva Thapa represents hope, possibility, and the belief that global success is achievable regardless of background or resources.

Shiva Thapa Major Achievements and Boxing Career Highlights

• 2023 – Gold Medal | National Boxing Championships, Hisar
  Won gold at the Senior National Championships, reaffirming his dominance in Indian boxing.

• 2022 – Silver Medal | Asian Boxing Championships, Jordan
  Secured silver at the continental level, adding another Asian medal to his illustrious career.

• 2021 – Gold Medal | National Boxing Championships, Bellary
  Clinched gold at the National Championships, showcasing consistency at the top level.

• 2021 – Silver Medal | Asian Boxing Championships, Dubai
  Finished runner-up at the Asian Championships, maintaining his streak of podium finishes.

• 2019 – Gold Medal | Senior National Boxing Championships, Bellary
  Emerged national champion in the senior category with a commanding performance.

• 2019 – Gold Medal | India Open Boxing Tournament, Guwahati
  Won gold on home soil, delighting fans in Assam with a title-winning run.

• 2019 – Bronze Medal | Asian Boxing Championships, Bangkok
  Added another Asian Championship bronze, strengthening his international resume.

• 2019 – Silver Medal | 38th Gee Bee Boxing Tournament, Helsinki
  Earned silver at one of Europes most competitive international boxing tournaments.

• 2018 – Participant | Asian Games, Jakarta
  Represented India at the Asian Games, competing against Asias elite boxers.

• 2018 – Bronze Medal | Ulaanbaatar Cup, Mongolia
  Won bronze at the prestigious Ulaanbaatar Cup, an important international boxing event.

• 2018 – World Series of Boxing | Indian Tigers
  Competed professionally for Indian Tigers in the World Series of Boxing league.

• 2018 – Bronze Medal | India Open International Boxing Tournament, New Delhi
  Secured bronze in a strong international field at the India Open.

• 2017 – Silver Medal | Indian National Boxing Championships, Visakhapatnam
  Finished second nationally, continuing his presence among Indias elite boxers.

• 2017 – Gold Medal | Grand Prix Tournament, Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic
  Claimed gold at the Grand Prix, one of the most competitive European boxing tournaments.

• 2017 – Silver Medal | Asian Boxing Championships, Tashkent
  Won silver after an injury-affected final, displaying resilience and grit.

• 2016 – Gold Medal | Indian National Boxing Championships, Guwahati
  Captured national gold in his home state of Assam.

• 2016 – Olympian | Rio Olympic Games, Brazil
  Represented India at the Rio Olympics, marking his second Olympic appearance.

• 2016 – Gold Medal | South Asian Games, Shillong
  Won gold at the South Asian Games, reinforcing regional dominance.

• 2015 – Bronze Medal | AIBA World Boxing Championships, Doha
  Became one of the few Indian boxers to medal at the World Championships.

• 2015 – Bronze Medal | Asian Confederation Boxing Championships, Bangkok
  Earned continental bronze at the ASBC Championships.

• 2015 – Gold Medal | Doha International Boxing Tournament
  Won gold at a major international invitational tournament.

• 2014 – 9th Place | Commonwealth Games, Glasgow
  Competed at the Commonwealth Games, gaining valuable global exposure.

• 2013 – Gold Medal | Asian Continental Boxing Championships, Amman
  Became the youngest Indian boxer to win gold at the Asian Championships.

• 2013 – Bronze Medal | Korotkov Memorial Tournament, Russia
  Secured bronze at one of the most respected boxing tournaments in Russia.

• 2012 – Olympian | London Olympic Games, United Kingdom
  Became the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympic Games.

• 2012 – Gold Medal | Asian Olympic Qualifiers, Astana
  Won gold to secure Olympic qualification for London 2012.

• 2012 – Silver Medal | Grand Prix Usti Nad Labem, Czech Republic
  Finished runner-up at a top-tier international boxing event.

• 2011 – Gold Medal | Indian National Boxing Championships
  Claimed national gold, marking his rise in senior-level boxing.

• 2011 – Gold Medal | Beogradski Pobednik Tournament, Belgrade
  Won gold at a renowned European international boxing tournament.

• 2011 – Silver Medal | Indian National Games
  Earned silver at the National Games, representing Assam.

• 2010 – Silver Medal | Youth Olympic Games, Singapore
  Won silver at the Youth Olympics, announcing himself on the world stage.

• 2010 – Silver Medal | AIBA Youth World Boxing Championships, Baku
  Finished runner-up at the Youth World Championships.

• 2009 – Bronze Medal | AIBA Junior World Championships, Yerevan
  Secured bronze at the Junior World Championships.

• 2009 – Gold Medal | Indian Junior National Championships
  Dominated nationally at the junior level with a gold medal finish.

• 2008 – Gold Medal | Indian Junior National Championships
  Won consecutive national junior titles early in his career.

• 2008 – Bronze Medal | Children of Asia Games, Yakutsk
  Earned international bronze at the Children of Asia Games.

• 2008 – Gold Medal | Heydar Aliyev Junior Cup, Baku
  Won gold at the prestigious junior-level international boxing tournament.

FAQs on Shiva Thapa

Q1. Who is Shiva Thapa?
Shiva Thapa is a famous Indian boxer from Assam and an Arjuna Award winner.

Q2. Why is Shiva Thapa famous?
He is famous for being the youngest Indian boxer to qualify for the Olympics.

Q3. Which state does Shiva Thapa belong to?
Shiva Thapa belongs to Assam.

Q4. Has Shiva Thapa won the Arjuna Award?
Yes, he received the Arjuna Award in 2016.

Q5. How many Olympics has Shiva Thapa played?
He represented India at the 2012 London Olympics and 2016 Rio Olympics.

Q6. What weight category does Shiva Thapa compete in?
He primarily competes in the bantamweight category.

Q7. Did Shiva Thapa win medals at Asian Championships?
Yes, he has won multiple gold, silver, and bronze medals at Asian Championships.

Q8. Is Shiva Thapa the youngest Olympic boxer from India?
Yes, he qualified for the Olympics at the age of 18.

Q9. What is Shiva Thapas biggest achievement?
His biggest achievements include Olympic qualification and six Asian Championship medals.

Q10. Is Shiva Thapa a role model for young athletes?
Yes, he is a major inspiration for young boxers across India.