Devastated after a split verdict denied him a podium finish at the ongoing Olympics, Indian boxer Nishant Dev said his dream has turned into a "nightmare" following the "injustice", which has left his heart heavy with "anger and sadness". Dev, the 23-year-old world championship bronze-medallist, lost 1-4 to his second-seeded Mexican opponent Marco Verde Alvarez in the men's 71kg quarterfinal despite seemingly dominating the contest on Saturday. "Nobody truly knows how hard I worked, the countless hours I dedicated to manifesting this dream, and the honesty and truthfulness I poured into my training. Every day was a step toward this goal, every sacrifice a testament to my commitment.
"Nightmare": Indian Boxer Nishant Dev Breaks Silence On Controversial Paris Olympics 2024 Defeat
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Devastated after a split verdict denied him a podium finish at the ongoing Olympics, Indian boxer Nishant Dev said his dream has turned into a "nightmare" following the "injustice".
Nishant Dev in action during Paris Olympics 2024© AFP
"It felt like a dream turned into a nightmare in an instant. Hearing the judges' scores, it felt as though there was nothing left in my body. The pain was so intense that I felt I just couldn't take it." Dev, however, vowed to work harder and return smarter.
"I may have missed out on a medal but I have gained a renewed sense of purpose. My journey doesn't end here; it begins anew. I will train harder, fight smarter, and come back fiercer," he wrote.
"This is not the end of my Olympic dream -- it's a chapter that will make my eventual triumph even more meaningful." India's boxing campaign ended at the Olympics after Tokyo edition bronze-winner Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) bowed out following a hard-fought quarterfinal loss to China's Li Qian in the women's competition here on Sunday.
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