Nishant Dev earned a spot in Paris Olympic Games as a Professional Boxer; A first Indian to do it!

Nishant Dev, a seasoned boxer with a remarkable career, has etched his name in history as the first Indian male pugilist to secure a quota for the Paris Olympic Games.

This achievement is a testament to his dedication and hard work. Adding to India’s four boxing quotas, with women boxers Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Preet Pawar (54kg), and Lovlina Borgohain (75 kilograms) having already qualified, Nishant Dev, competing in the 71kg weight class, secured his Olympic berth by defeating Moldova’s Vasile Cebotari 5-0 in the quarterfinals of the Boxing Olympic qualifiers.

In the quarterfinals, both Nishant Dev and Cebotari, southpaws, showcased the true spirit of boxing in a challenging match. Nishant Dev, a bronze medalist at the world championships, was previously unsuccessful in securing an Olympic spot. He began the match with a strong start, landing sharp, precise punches and maintaining composure throughout the bout. Despite a slight struggle in the second round when Cebotari landed a few blows, Nishant Dev’s accurate shots ensured his dominance. Nishant Dev continued landing effective punches in the final round despite being exhausted, whereas the opponent couldn’t. Cebotari, too, displayed remarkable sportsmanship, even receiving a point deduction for hitting Nishant Dev when he was down. This match was a true testament to the competitive spirit and sportsmanship in boxing.

India’s pursuit of an Olympic quota in the women’s 60kg category ended when Ankushita Boro lost 2-3 to Sweden’s Agnes Alexiusson in the quarterfinals. Despite a strong effort, Boro, a former youth world champion, was outmanoeuvred by the experienced Alexiusson, a former European Games bronze medalist. Boro started slowly but adapted well, using straight jabs effectively by the end of the first round, earning the favour of one judge. Down 1-4, Boro launched a fierce comeback with powerful combinations, matching Alexiusson into the final round. However, Alexiusson finished stronger, winning by a split decision.

[Image Source: DailyGuardian]