Boxers arrive home after bagging Olympic berth

Zeenews Sports Bureau

New Delhi: Following a brilliant show at the AIBA Asian Olympic Qualifying Event in Astana, Kazakhstan, the Indian men`s boxing team returned home on Saturday. The pugilists created a record as seven of them qualified for 2012 London Olympics. Three of these qualifications came at the Asian Olympic qualifiers - Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh (75kg), 2010 Youth Olympics silver medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) and 2010 Youth Asian Championship silver medallist Sumit Sangwan (81kg) sealed a berth each with their great show in the tournament. The pugilists have returned with their heads held high as they bagged two gold and three bronze medals in the tournament. Notably, 18-year-old Shiva Thapa created history by becoming the youngest Indian ever to qualify for Olympics. Thapa and Sangwan not only booked an Olympic berth but also won gold medal in their categories.