Manoj Kumar claimed his second successive National Championships' gold but Shiva Thapa settled for a silver on an eventful day of summit clashes in the premier domestic boxing event here today. Manoj (69kg), competing for the Railways Sports Promotion Board (RSPB), got the better of Services Sports Control Board's (SSCB) Duryodhan Singh for his second successive gold at the event in a 4-1 decision. Another defending champion, Shiva, however, lost on a split verdict to SSCB's Manish Kaushik, settling for the silver medal in the lightweight (60kg) category. World Championship bronze medallist Shiva began on an aggressive manner, connecting some good punches, but in the second round he sustained a cut above his eye and the referee had to stop the contest momentarily.

Manoj Kumar