Indian boxer Nishant Dev’s controversial exit from the quarter-finals at the Paris Olympics has sparked a debate about the scoring system. Dev faced Mexico’s Marco Verde in the quarter-finals and lost by a 4-1 decision. Despite appearing dominant in the first two rounds, the judges awarded Verde the victory in the final rounds, leading to accusations of unfair scoring.
Former Olympian Vijender Singh and actor Randeep Hooda have voiced their dissatisfaction with the decision. Singh, a bronze medalist from the 2008 Olympics, praised Dev’s performance and questioned the judges’ scoring. On social media platform X, Singh wrote, “I don’t know what’s the scoring system, but it was a very close fight… he played so well… koi na bhai #NishantDev.”
I don’t know what’s the scoring system but I think very close fight..he play so well..koi na bhai #NishantDev
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) August 3, 2024
Actor Randeep Hooda also expressed his frustration, claiming that Nishant Dev was unjustly deprived of a medal. Hooda posted, “Nishant had won it. What’s this scoring? Robbed of the medal but won hearts. Sad!! Many more to go chore!!”
Nishant had won it .. कती सूत दिया था मेक्सिकन .. what’s this scoring ? Robbed of the medal but won hearts .. Sad!! Many more to go छोरे !! #NishantDev #OlympicGames #Paris2024 pic.twitter.com/idg6exkOq1
— Randeep Hooda (@RandeepHooda) August 3, 2024
In the bout, Dev secured the first round in his favor, but Verde was declared the winner in the subsequent rounds. The second round was a split decision, favoring Verde 3-2, while the third round saw Verde receiving unanimous points from all five judges.
Nishant Dev advanced to the quarter-finals after a tight contest against Ecuador’s Jose Rodriguez, where he won by a split decision. However, the defeat in the quarter-finals marked a disappointing end to his Olympic journey.
Additionally, Dev’s compatriot Amit Panghal also exited the Olympics after a loss in the men’s 51 kg round of 16. Panghal lost to Zambia’s Patrick Chinyemba by a score of 1-4. Despite his aggressive performance in the initial rounds, Panghal was outscored decisively in the final round.
As the debate over the scoring system continues, the controversy highlights the challenges and scrutiny faced by athletes competing on the global stage.
