London 2012 Boxing: Sumit Sangwan loses but India lodges protest
Indian boxer Sumit Sangwan went down 14-15 under controversial circumstances to Brazilian Yamaguchi Falcao Florentino in the round of 32 of 81kg category at the London Olympics here on Monday. Union Ajay Maken has already asked Chef de Mission Brig P K Muralidharan Raja to lodge an official protest.
Indian boxer Sumit Sangwan went down 14-15 under controversial circumstances to Brazilian Yamaguchi Falcao Florentino in the round of 32 of 81kg category at the London Olympics here on Monday. Union Ajay Maken has already asked Chef de Mission Brig P K Muralidharan Raja to lodge an official protest. (update: Appeal rejected)
The 19-year-old Indian fought valiantly and should have won more points but the judges thought otherwise. ESPN commentators were surprised by the verdict and called it "daylight robbery".
Sangwan looked to have taken the first round but the judges decision meant he was left trailing by one point.
The Indian came out strongly in the second and sent his opponent reeling with great combination punches but again, to the surprise of the commentators, the bout was given in favour of the Brazilian 5-4.
Sangwan, who qualified for the London Olympics after bagging the light heavyweight title at the AIBA Asian Olympic qualifiers in Astana, came out swinging and to his credit took the third round 6-5. But that was not enough for the Indian and he became the second boxer, after Shiva Thapa, to be knocked out in the round of 32.
Compatriots Vijender Singh (75 kg) and Jai Bhagwan (60 kg) qualified for the round of 16 with convincing wins over their opponents.