Indian boxing received a major boost as Nishant Dev stormed into the quarterfinals of the World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers in Italy. The 23-year-old dominated his pre-quarterfinal bout against Christos Karaitis of Greece, securing a convincing 5-0 unanimous decision victory.
A Crucial Step Towards Paris
This win puts Dev on the cusp of securing a coveted Olympic quota for the 2024 Paris Games. With only four quota places available in the men’s 71kg weight class, a victory in his upcoming quarterfinal against American Omari Jones (2021 World Championship silver medalist) will guarantee his spot in Paris.
Nishant Dev: India’s Last Hope
Nishant Dev stands as the sole Indian boxer remaining in contention at the Qualifiers. Other contenders, including medalists from the 2023 World Championships, were unfortunately eliminated in earlier rounds. However, Dev’s determination and impressive form offer a ray of hope for Indian boxing representation in the upcoming Olympics.
Looking Ahead
While Dev faces a tough challenge against Jones, his performance so far has instilled confidence. If he emerges victorious, he will be the first Indian male boxer to secure a quota for the Paris Olympics, joining four female boxers who qualified through the Asian Games last year. For other hopefuls who haven’t secured their spots yet, the second World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers in Bangkok (May 23rd – June 3rd) offer a final chance to punch their ticket to Paris.
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