The World Boxing Olympic Qualifiers witnessed a disappointing performance from the Indian male boxing unit. Not a single quota place was secured for the Paris Olympics 2024, marking a significant setback. This outcome has raised questions about what lies ahead for these athletes.
The Indian boxing contingent, including Deepak Bhoria, Mohammad Husamuddin, Nishant Dev, and Shiva Thapa, had high hopes of entering the tournament. However, the results were far from satisfactory. Nishant Dev’s loss to World Championships silver medallist Omari Jones of the USA in the quarterfinals was particularly disheartening.
Despite the dismal performance, there is still a glimmer of hope. The boxers will have one final opportunity to secure their places in the Paris Olympics at the final qualifiers in Thailand. This upcoming event is crucial for the Indian boxing contingent, especially considering the current tally of 58 quota spots for the Paris Olympics.
Indian Male Boxing Unit Fails at World Boxing Olympic Qualifier 1
Several factors contributed to the disappointing performance at the World Boxing Olympic Qualifiers. The lack of seeding in international boxing sometimes results in imbalanced draws. Additionally, the International Olympic Committee (IOC) has significantly reduced the available quota spots in men’s boxing. For instance, Deepak Bhoria’s flyweight category now has only 16 quotas, compared to 28 at the Tokyo Olympics.
Looking ahead, the Indian boxers need to reflect on their performance and strategize for the final qualifiers. They need to improve their performance, learn from their defeats, and prepare for the high level of competition they will face in Thailand.
The Indian contingent for the Paris Olympics currently stands at 58 quota spots. With the women’s hockey team already missing out on a quota place, the boxers must secure a few more quota places to get close to the Indian contingent at the Tokyo Olympics 122 spots.
Also Read: Sindhu through to the next round, but Srikanth and Prannoy exits in the All England Open
