Nishant Dev is eliminated from the 2024 Olympics after quarter-final defeat in men’s boxing under 71 kg

Olympic debutant Nishant Dev (71kg) was eliminated from the Paris Games after a heartbreaking defeat to Mexico’s Marco Verde Alvarez in the quarter-finals of the men’s 71kg category here on Saturday. The 23-year-old Indian, a World Boxing Championships bronze medalist, lost by a split 1-4 verdict to his second Mexican opponent in the quarter-finals at the North Paris Arena. Nishant started well, with four judges ranking him higher after the first round. However, Nishant was unable to maintain his momentum, starting to get tired in the second round, when Verde managed to land more punches.

After the second round, both boxers were tied in front of four judges, while Nishant still maintained the lead with one judge. However, all five judges gave a point to Verde in the third round, to confirm the result

Nishant becomes the fifth Indian boxer to exit the Paris Olympics in 2024. He would have become the second Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal had he managed to win the tie.

Nishant’s trip to Paris

Dev started boxing at the age of 12, taking inspiration from his uncle, who was a professional boxer. However, just two years earlier, a fall down a staircase dislocated his right shoulder. The real impact of the injury would be felt by Nishant in 2022 when a stick was placed on his infected shoulder.

Through surgery and rehabilitation, Nishant experienced several doubts and insecurities about his career. But not knowing how to give up, Dev bounced back and won gold at the National Boxing Championships in Hisar the following year.

Nishant’s never-give-up attitude was also evident in the Olympic qualifiers. Having lost his first attempt, Nishant bounced back to win a share the second time he asked