Sport

news.com.au | boxing
Sarita Devi rejects medal at Asian Games in
stunning protest
IN PROTEST at what she called biased judgment for her semi-finals loss in the womens 60kg class at the
Asian Games, Indian boxer Sarita Devi went to the podium but refused to bend down to let the bronze medal be
placed over her neck.
She took the medal in hand, went across, and slipped it onto the neck of Park Ji-na, the South Korean who beat her on
Tuesday.
Park tried to give it back, then left it on the podium.
Just saw #Korea getting smashed like punching bag by
#India #SaritaDevi at #AsianGames2014 , but still v lost ?
#Indians #SaritaInsulted
12:01 AM - 2 Oct 2014
DEV
@deejaydev
Follow
2 RETWEETS 1 FAVORITE
BY: C.RAJSHEKHAR RAO
FROM: AP
4 DAYS AGO OCTOBER 02, 2014 9:24AM
Vietnam's Luu Thi Duyen (left) urges India's Sarita Devi to go on to the podium after she refuse to accept her bronze medal. Source: AFP
While Devi was largely supported for her decision on social media, boxing officials opened disciplinary proceedings
against her.
World boxing governing body AIBA said in a statement that it would announce the decision of its case after the Asian
Games ends on Saturday, and that its technical delegate David B. Francis had also submitted a report to the Olympic
Council of Asia.
The whole incident looked like a well-planned scenario by her and her team, and it is regretful to watch a boxer refuse
the medal regardless of what happened in the competition, Francis wrote in his report to the continental body.
In this regard, as the technical delegate, I had to request OCA to review this incident, so any boxer or athlete in other
sports will not follow in her footsteps by respecting the spirit of fair-play and sportsmanship of the Olympic movement,
Francis added.
Sarita, who left the hall without the medal, earlier said she wanted to make a point at the podium, and was prepared for
any action against her.
Im ready to face any repercussions and to sacrifice my career if it can help other boxers and improve the system, she
said.
Sarita Devi reacts after she refused to accept the bronze medal. Source: AFP
#saritadevi Shame on International Olympic Association and shame
on spineless Indian Olympic association officials.
8:23 PM - 1 Oct 2014
Vivek Bansal
@ivivekbansal
Follow
539 RETWEETS 168 FAVORITES
Its really disappointing to lose in such manner when the judges are against you.
I presented the medal to the South Korean girl because I could not have taken it home. At least this way I wont be
reminded of this loss time and again by seeing the medal. Ill come afresh and win more medals in international
competitions.
Park won their bout by unanimous decision, causing a furore, and accusations of a fix by Indias chief coach.
Indias official complaint was rejected because judges decisions cant be protested. Park lost the final on Wednesday.
There was also criticism of the jury in other bouts, notably in the one between Mongolias Tugstsogt Nyambayar against
South Koreas Ham Sang-Myeong in the mens 56kg quarter-final on Tuesday.
The Mongolian, who lost by decision, refused to leave the ring for more than five minutes. Mongolias official protest was
also rejected.
SOURCE: http://www.news.com.au/sport/boxing/sarita-devi-rejects-medal-at-asian-games-in-stunning-protest/story-fndkzthy-1227077409406