World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers: Lakshya Chahar Becomes Fourth Indian To Crash Out In Opening Rounds

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India continue to struggle at the World Olympic Boxing Qualifiers in Busto Arsizio (Italy) as Lakshya Chahar became the latest Indian to make an opening round exit on Monday (March 4).

The reigning national champion was knocked out during his men's 80kg bout against 2021 Asian Championships silver medallist Gheshlaghi Meysam of Iran. All three Indian boxers, who participated before him, lost in their respective opening rounds.

Having lost the first of the three rounds 2-3, Chahar got himself back in the game by taking the second round 3-2. He was level on three cards heading into the final three minutes.

However with 20 seconds left for the bout to end, Meysam, who was playing in close proximity, connected a powerful right hook to knockout the Indian. All four Indian boxers, who have taken the ring here, have failed to move to the second round.

World Championships bronze medallist Deepak Bhoria (51kg), Asian Games bronze medallist Narender Berwal (+92kg) and Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jaismine Lamboria (60kg) all lost their respective first rounds.

Five Indian boxers, including world championships bronze medallist Mohammed Hussamudin and six-time Asian Championships medal winner Shiva Thapa, are still in the fray for earning Paris Olympic quotas here. A semifinal finish will ensure a quota here.

Thapa will open his campaign against reigning world champion Ruslan Abdullaev of Uzbekistan in the opening round of the men's 63.5kg category, while Dev will go up against 2022 European Championships silver medallist Lewis Richardson of Great Britain in the 71kg division.

India have secured four 2024 Olympic quotas so far with Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), Parveen Hooda (57kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (75kg) clinching their entry to Paris at the Asian Games last year.

India had nine boxers competing in the Tokyo Olympics. Boxers who fail to earn quotas here will get a final chance to seal their passage to the Paris Games during the second World Olympic Boxing Qualifier, scheduled to be held in Bangkok from May 23 to June 3.

-With inputs from PTI