When Nishant Dev (71 kg) advanced to the semifinals of the Boxing Olympic qualifications on Friday, he became the first male wrestler from India to earn a spot in the Paris Games. In a match between southpaws, the bronze medallist from the world championships, who had just missed out on an Olympic berth in the previous qualifiers, secured the quota by defeating Vasile Cebotari of Moldova 5-0 in the quarterfinal. Women boxers Nikhat Zareen (50 kg), Preet Pawar (54 kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75 kg) have already booked their flights to Paris, making it India’s fourth quota spot. There were five available quotas in the 71kg weight class. Dev, who has dominated the whole competition, got off to a quick start by throwing precise, cutting blows. The Indian maintained his composure and sparingly employed his blows.
Even though Cebotari delivered a few strikes and Dev appeared to be gasping for air in the second round, the Indian fighter was still making precise shots.
Both boxers were exhausted in the final three minutes, but Dev kept throwing strikes whenever he pleased. When Cebotari punched Dev when the Indian was on the ground, he lost a point.
Earlier, Ankushita Boro’s 2-3 loss to Agnes Alexiusson of Sweden in the quarterfinals marked the end of India’s hopes of securing a quota in the women’s 60kg weight class.
The 23-year-old Boro put up a strong fight, but her Swedish opponent—a past bronze medallist at the European Games—drew on her vast experience to defeat the Indian.
Former juvenile world champion Boro started slowly but picked up speed at the conclusion of the opening exchange, expertly using straight jabs. It was sufficient to persuade one judge.
Boro, behind 1-4, got off to a fast start by combining a right cross with a left jab. With the Indian on fire, the 28-year-old Alexiusson could not keep up.
While Boro was able to gain ground early in the third round, Alexiusson emerged from the fight with a better finish and a split decision victory.
Arundhati Choudhary (66 kg) and Amit Panghal (51 kg) will compete later in the day.
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