Lakshya Chahar, the reigning national champion, became the fourth Indian boxer to be eliminated in the opening round of the first World Olympic Boxing Qualifier in Italy on March 5.
Meysam beat Chahar in men's 80kg event
Competing in the men's 80kg event, Chahar was defeated in the third round by 2021 Asian Championships silver medallist Gheshlaghi Meysam of Iran on March 4.
After losing the first round 2-3, Chahar rebounded by winning the second round 3-2. As the final three minutes began, he was tied on three cards.
However, with only 20 seconds remaining in the bout, Meysam, who was fighting at close range, landed a devastating right hook to knock out the Indian.
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Disappointing start for Indian boxers at qualifiers
All four Indian boxers who competed in this event have been unable to progress to the second round. Deepak Bhoria (51kg), Narender Berwal (+92kg), and Jaismine Lamboria (60kg), who are respectively bronze medallists at the World Championships, Asian Games, and Commonwealth Games, all suffered defeats in their opening rounds.
Five Indian boxers, including world championships bronze medallist Mohammed Hussamudin and six-time Asian Championships medal winner Shiva Thapa, are still vying for Paris Olympic quotas. A semifinal finish in this event will guarantee a quota.
Thapa will begin his campaign against reigning world champion Ruslan Abdullaev of Uzbekistan in the men's 63.5kg category, while Dev will face off against 2022 European Championships silver medallist Lewis Richardson of Great Britain in the 71kg division.
Four boxing quotas secured for Paris 2024
India has secured four Olympic quotas for the 2024 Games so far, with Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Parveen Hooda (57kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) earning their spots at the Asian Games last year.
India had nine boxers competing in the Tokyo Olympics. Boxers who do not secure quotas in this event will have one final opportunity to qualify for the Paris Games during the second World Olympic Boxing Qualifier, scheduled to take place in Bangkok from May 23 to June 3.
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