India’s boxing contingent at the Olympic qualifiers in Bangkok received a massive boost on Friday, May 31st. Nishant Dev, competing in the 71kg weight class, secured a quota for the upcoming Paris Olympics 2024. He defeated Moldova’s Vasile Cebotari in the quarterfinals. This victory makes Dev the first Indian male boxer to book his ticket to the Paris Olympics 2024.
Nishant Dev, a bronze medalist at the World Championships, displayed exceptional form throughout the tournament. He continued his winning streak against Cebotari, showcasing sharp and accurate punches from the very beginning. Maintaining composure throughout the match, Dev used his jabs strategically to keep his opponent in the corner.
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The second round saw Cebotari land a few blows, momentarily testing Dev’s stamina. However, the Indian pugilist remained fearless and continued to unleash precise punches. As the fight entered its final three minutes, both boxers were visibly exhausted. Despite fatigue, Dev remained focused, landing punches at will. A crucial turning point came when Cebotari received a point deduction for an illegal punch while Dev was down on the canvas. This penalty further solidified Dev’s lead.
Nishant Dev qualifies for the men's 71kg boxing at #Paris2024! 👊
Congratulations! 👏#RoadToParis2024 | #OlympicsQualifiers pic.twitter.com/yNTfFLd9gX
— Olympic Khel (@OlympicKhel) May 31, 2024
This victory holds immense significance for Dev, who narrowly missed an Olympic berth in the previous qualifiers. His determination and focus paid off in Bangkok, earning him a well-deserved spot on the Paris Olympic stage. This quota also marks India’s fourth for the upcoming Games, with women boxers Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preet Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) already securing their places.
Setback for Ankushita Boro
While the day brought joy for Dev, it wasn’t all sunshine for the Indian contingent. Ankushita Boro’s quest for a quota in the women’s 60kg category ended in a heartbreaking 2-3 defeat against Sweden’s Agnes Alexiusson in the quarterfinals. Despite a valiant effort and a strong showing in the second round, Boro couldn’t overcome Alexiusson’s experience, losing a close split decision.
The boxing qualifiers in Bangkok continue, with Arundhati Choudhary (66kg) and Amit Panghal (51kg) scheduled to compete later today. India will be hoping to add more quotas to their tally and further strengthen their presence at the Paris Olympics 2024. Nishant Dev’s historic achievement has undoubtedly set the tone for a successful campaign, inspiring his fellow boxers to strive for Olympic glory.