Nishant Dev scripted history on May 31st by becoming the first Indian male pugilist to secure a quota for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. The 71kg weight class boxer achieved this milestone by reaching the semifinals of the Boxing Olympic qualifiers, delivering an impressive performance against Vasile Cebotari of Moldova on Friday.
The world championships bronze medalist, who narrowly missed an Olympic berth in the previous qualifiers, showcased his determination and skill by defeating Cebotari 5-0 in a fiercely contested quarterfinal match. Both southpaws displayed remarkable boxing prowess, but it was Dev's sharp, accurate punches and composed demeanor that ultimately led to his victory.
This achievement marks India's fourth boxing quota for the Paris Games, following the earlier successes of women boxers Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preet Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg). With five quota places available in the 71kg weight class, Dev's qualification is a significant milestone for Indian boxing.
Throughout the tournament, Dev has demonstrated dominance and tactical acumen. He started the quarterfinal bout with precision, landing effective punches while maintaining composure. Despite a brief challenge in the second round when Cebotari landed a few blows, Dev's resilience shone through as he continued to deliver accurate shots. In the final round, both boxers were visibly exhausted, but Dev maintained his offensive strategy. Cebotari's point deduction for an illegal punch when Dev was down further sealed the Indian's victory.
In contrast to Dev's triumph, India's quest for a women's 60kg quota was halted when Ankushita Boro faced a narrow 2-3 defeat against Sweden's Agnes Alexiusson in the quarterfinals. Boro, a former youth world champion, showcased tenacity and adaptability. Despite a slow start, she found her rhythm toward the end of the first round, impressing one of the judges. She rallied in the second round with a combination of left jabs and right crosses, leveling the playing field. However, Alexiusson's experience and strong finish in the third round clinched the split decision win. The action continues later today with Arundhati Choudhary (66kg) and Amit Panghal (51kg) set to compete, keeping India's hopes for additional Olympic quotas alive.
