Star Indian boxer Amit Panghal (52kg) bowed out of the Olympics with a shocking 1-4 loss to Rio Games silver medallist Yuberjen Martinez, beaten by the Colombian’s relentless attacks and pace in a draining pre-quarter final bout on Saturday.
The world No.1 Indian, who was making his debut in the Games and was seeded top, had got an opening-round bye.
One of India’s strongest medal contenders, Panghal was put under pressure by the sprightly Colombian in the opening round itself but the pre-bout favourite ensured that he connected better to claim the first three minutes 4-1.
“They have sparred with each other. In some of them Amit was better than today but in others, it was similar to what happened today. It wasn’t a total surprise because we had seen that this guy is very dangerous,” Indian boxing’s high performance director Santiago Nieva said after the bout.
“He didn’t have the strength to move, so he stayed inside. Then (eventually) he didn’t have the strength to respond also and he became passive,” Nieva said.
There was disappointment in women’s boxing as well with Pooja Rani (75kg) going down 0-5 in her quarter-final bout against China’s Li Qian.
Qian, who is a former world champion and a Rio Olympics bronze-medallist, thoroughly out-punched Rani, who looked clueless in the ring after showing some spark in the opening round.
Atanu off target
India’s wait for an Olympic medal in archery will continue as Atanu Das exited in the pre-quarter finals on Saturday. Das, who knocked out London Olympics gold medallist Oh Jin Hyek in the last-32, failed to overcome home favourite Takaharu Furukawa, a silver winner in the 2012 edition, and lost 4-6 in an intense five-setter.
“In the Olympics, every match is different, the situation, mindset, everything is different. I tried, but it’s okay, I failed,” Das said after the loss.
Shooters falter
Anjum Moudgil and Tejaswini Sawant failed to make the finals of the women’s 50m rifle 3 positions event, settling for the 15th and 33rd position, respectively.
World Championship silver-medallist Moudgil finished with 1167 and 54 inner 10s, while Sawant scored 1154 over the three series of standing, kneeling and prone at the Asaka Shooting Range. Sanjeev Rajput is now the only Indian shooter left in the fray.
Tough for Lahiri
Golfer Anirban Lahiri salvaged his third round with a late birdie and an eagle to card a three-under 68 but it may not be enough to give him a chance to make a run for the medal.
Lahiri was tied 28th after the third round with a total of 6-under 207. Udayan Mane, carded a 70 for a share of 55th place on 2-over 215.
A frustrated Lahiri said: “It’s been a disappointing 36 holes. I had a good finish to my round but I’m very disappointed, and barring a miracle, it will be hard for me to get on the podium.”
Fouaad impresses
In equestrianism, Fouaad Mirza continued to impress in eventing as he shared the 9th spot with Sweden’s Louise Romieke after the completion of the dressage phase of the three-test discipline. Mirza had 28 penalty points, while Michael Jung of Germany led the field with 21 penalty points. Equestrian sports do not differentiate on the basis of gender.
