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Asian Games 2014: Boxer L Sarita Devi refuses to accept bronze medal; Sports Ministry to seek report from IOA

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18:08 IST Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal has said the government will seek detailed report from IOA on boxer L Sarita Devi controversy. 'She is an inspiration for all mothers, she is a champion', says the Sports Minister.

14:39 IST Wednesday, 1 October 2014

Distraught after losing her controversial semifinal bout, Indian boxer L Sarita Devi on Wednesday stunned officials and spectators by refusing to accept the bronze medal, which is now in the custody of organisers.

The lightweight (60kg) boxer was in disbelief on Tuesday when she lost against home favourite Jina Park, who ended up as the silver medalist. Sarita was clearly the better of the two pugilists but the judges thought otherwise.

The Indian subsequently also lost an appeal against the judges' decision and on Wednesday tearfully made her way to the medal ceremony. Crying bitterly on the podium, Sarita first refused to wear the medal before handing it over to Park after sharing an emotional hug with the home boxer.

The former Asian and world champion then left the ceremony. Park, visibly rattled by the turn of events, left the medal on the podium and made her exit.

The Indian boxer, who was robbed off a gold medal bout at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea had earlier said that she may return the bronze medal. According to reports, her husband C Thoiba said that they will accept the medal at the ceremony but are planning to return it as a mark of protest.

On Tuesday, a dominant Sarita lost her light-weight semi-final bout against South Korea's Jina Park in dubious circumstances. Following the match, Indian contingent lodged a complaint but it was rejected by the International Boxing Association (AIBA).

After the match, a distraught Sarita said, “I don’t accept this decision. It’s wrong,” even as her husband Thoiba confronted the match officials screaming: “You’ve killed boxing!”

Sarita also blamed the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) for their inaction on the matter:

Read: Indian officials ignore L Sarita Devi after unfair loss; boxer arranges funds from journalist, coach to lodge protest

Sarita returned to the ring after giving birth to a baby boy and won a silver medal in the recent Glasgow Commonwealth Games. Often compared to legendary, Mary Kom – who has qualified for the gold medal bout in women's fly-weight (48-51kg) category.

Moments later, the gathering at Seonhak Gymnasium witnessed Mongolia’s bantam-weight boxer Tugstsogt Nyambayar losing his bout against South Korea’s Ham Sang-Myeong, in similar fashion. And in the afternoon, Sarita's brother, Devendro was denied a place in semi-finals by judges.

Devendro, like his sister dominated the South Korean opponent Shin Jonghun in the men's 49kg quarter-final bout from the start, but the judges ruled the home favourite winner.

For full coverage of the Asian Games 2014, click here

(With inputs from agencies)

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