Sarita Devi refuses bronze, feels cheated of final spot by judges

Left South Korean Park Jina reeling with furious punches but was still adjudged loser

Indian woman boxer Sarita Devi has refused her bronze medal after judges ruled the semifinal bout in favour of the home boxers against her and Devendro Singh on Tuesday.

The two Indian gold contenders were denied their due. Sarita, who left Park Jina reeling with furious punches in the 60kg semi-final bout, was stunned and burst into tears after the scorers adjudged the South Korean the winner.

India lodged a protest but the International Boxing Association (AIBA) supervisor David Francis, who pointed to rules that had no provision to challenge the judges, rejected it.

Sarita, making a comeback after giving birth to a baby boy almost like her better-known Manipuri compatriot Mary Kom, and her husband C Thoiba Singh were left infuriated by the outcome. Thoiba rushed to the judges' bench shouting that they have killed boxing.

Thobia shouted that what the hell was going on there, adding that Sarita has won and they declare Korea winners. He later said that it is unethical to deprive someone of their due.

Thobia also said that he is not sure Sarita would be able to come out of this shock loss ever.

Meanwhile, Sarita said that it seems that she wasted two years of her life, adding that she stayed away from her baby and her husband for two years just to concentrate on her boxing.

Sarita said that her resolve is broken, adding that she does not think she would be able to return to the ring soon.