The Indian boxing contingent faced a challenging outing at the 33rd edition of the Summer Olympics in Paris 2024, with none of the six pugilists managing to secure a medal. Despite entering the competition with high expectations and robust performances in the lead-up, the Indian boxers fell short, extending the nation’s wait for another Olympic boxing medal since Vijender Singh’s bronze in 2008 Beijing.
Women’s Boxing Performance
Nikhat Zareen – Women’s 50 Kg
Nikhat Zareen, an Olympic debutant, was a beacon of hope for Indian boxing fans. Her previous performances on the international stage had positioned her as a strong contender. Zareen began her campaign with a convincing 5-0 victory over Germany’s Maxi Kloetzer. However, she faced a tough challenge in the Round of 16, where she was defeated by China’s Wu Yu, ending her journey prematurely.
Lovlina Borgohain – Women’s 75 Kg
Lovlina Borgohain, who won a bronze medal at Tokyo 2020, was expected to replicate her success in Paris. She demonstrated her capabilities by defeating Norwegian Sunniva Hofstad 5-0 in the Round of 16. Despite this promising start, Borgohain was unable to progress beyond the quarterfinals, losing 1-4 to Li Qian of China, thus missing out on a second consecutive Olympic medal.
Preeti Pawar – Women’s 54 Kg
Preeti Pawar showed promise early on, securing a 5-0 victory over Vietnam’s Vo Thi Kim Anh to advance to the Round of 16. However, her Olympic run was cut short by Colombia’s Yeni Arias, who won in a closely contested 3-2 split decision, preventing Preeti from advancing further.
Jaismine Lomboria – Women’s 57 Kg
Jaismine Lomboria entered the Olympics with high hopes pinned on her, especially following her bronze medal performance at the Commonwealth Games. Unfortunately, her campaign ended abruptly with a 0-5 defeat against Nesthy Petecio of the Philippines in the opening round, a significant setback for the Indian boxing contingent.
Men’s Boxing Performance
Amit Panghal – Men’s 51 Kg
Amit Panghal, aiming to follow in Vijender Singh’s footsteps, faced an early exit in the Round of 16. He was defeated 4-1 by Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba, who dominated the bout from the start, preventing Panghal from advancing to the medal rounds.
Nishant Dev – Men’s 71 Kg
Nishant Dev kept India’s hopes alive longer than most, securing a 3-2 victory over Ecuador’s Jose Rodriguez in the Round of 16. However, his quarterfinal match against Mexico’s Marco Verde proved to be a turning point. Despite a strong start that saw him take the first round, Nishant was unable to maintain his lead, ultimately losing the match as Verde rallied in the subsequent rounds to clinch the semifinal spot.
The Indian boxing team’s overall performance at Paris 2024 highlighted several areas for improvement. While some pugilists showed potential with initial victories, the lack of consistency and ability to capitalize on crucial moments hindered their progress. The absence of medals from a contingent expected to perform well is a wake-up call for the coaching staff and the federation.
To bridge the gap to podium finishes, India’s boxing federation may need to reevaluate training programs, focus on mental toughness, and ensure more exposure to international competition. This experience in Paris, although disappointing, provides valuable lessons for the athletes and coaches as they prepare for future international events, including the Asian Games and the next Olympic cycle.
