Indian Boxing at Paris Olympics 2024: Big stars flop big time

Indian boxing at the Paris Olympics 2024 turned out to be a major letdown, as the country’s top pugilists failed to secure a single medal. Despite high hopes and a strong contingent, none of the six Indian boxers, including four women and two men, managed to reach the podium.

The disappointing performance has left fans and analysts alike questioning what went wrong for India in the boxing ring.

Nikhat Zareen falls short: 50kg

Nikhat Zareen, making her Olympic debut in the women’s 50 kg category, carried the weight of the nation’s expectations on her shoulders. After a promising start with a convincing 5-0 victory over Germany’s Maxi Kloetzer, Zareen’s campaign came to an abrupt end in the Round of 16.

India’s top boxer was defeated by China’s Wu Yu, a result that shocked many given Zareen’s strong performances in the lead-up to the Olympics.

Lovlina Borgohain’s medal hopes dashed: 75kg

Lovlina Borgohain, who won a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, was another strong contender for India. Competing in the women’s 75 kg category, Lovlina made it to the quarterfinals after a dominant 5-0 win over Norway’s Sunniva Hofstad.

However, her journey ended there as she was defeated 4-1 by China’s Li Qian, missing out on what could have been a historic second Olympic medal.

Amit Panghal’s early exit: 51kg

Amit Panghal, competing in the men’s 51 kg category, was one of two male boxers aiming to replicate Vijender Singh’s 2008 Olympic success.

However, Panghal’s campaign was cut short in the Round of 16 when he suffered a 4-1 defeat at the hands of Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba. The loss was a significant upset, considering Panghal’s experience and previous successes on the international stage.

Nishant Dev’s Quarterfinal Heartbreak

Nishant Dev, in the men’s 71 kg category, offered a glimmer of hope for India by advancing to the quarterfinals. He secured a hard-fought 3-2 victory over Ecuador’s Jose Rodriguez in the Round of 16.

However, Nishant’s quest for a medal ended in disappointment as he was defeated by Mexico’s Marco Verde. Despite a strong start, the Indian boxer couldn’t maintain his momentum, losing out on a chance to secure a semifinal spot.

Preeti Pawar’s promising start

Preeti Pawar, competing in the women’s 54 kg category, began her Olympic journey with a promising 5-0 victory over Vietnam’s Vo Thi Kim Anh.

However, her run was halted in the Round of 16 by Colombia’s Yeni Arias, who edged out a 3-2 split decision in a closely contested bout. The loss was a bitter pill to swallow for the 20-year-old from Bhiwani, who had shown great potential.

Jaismine Lomboria’s early exit

Jaismine Lomboria, who competed in the women’s 57 kg category, entered the Olympics with considerable expectations. However, her campaign ended in disappointment as she was defeated 5-0 by the Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio in the very first round. Despite her Commonwealth Games bronze medal, Jaismine was unable to make a mark on the Olympic stage.

Reflecting on setback ft Indian Boxing Team

The lack of medals in boxing at the Paris Olympics is a significant setback for India, a country that had high hopes pinned on its pugilists. The continued wait for a men’s boxing medal since Vijender Singh’s 2008 bronze only adds to the frustration. In women’s event, Lovlina did won a medal at Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

As the nation reflects on what went wrong, it’s clear that Indian boxing will need to regroup and strategize to ensure a stronger performance in future international competitions.

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