Distraught after losing her controversial semi-final bout, Indian boxer L Sarita Devi on Wednesday stunned officials and spectators by refusing to accept the bronze medal, which is now in the custody of organisers.
The lightweight (60kg) boxer was in disbelief on Tuesday when she lost against home favourite Jina Park, who ended up as the silver-medallist. Sarita was clearly the better of the two pugilists but the judges thought otherwise.
The Indian subsequently also lost an appeal against the judges’ decision and tearfully made her way to the medal ceremony.
I had to do this to continue with my boxing career or the memory of this incident would have stayed on in my mind.
The former Asian and world champion then left the ceremony. Park, visibly rattled by the turn of events, left the medal on the podium and made her exit.
A sobbing Sarita later told reporters that she had to do what she did to continue with her boxing career or else it would have stayed in her mind.
“It’s not that I did not want to accept the medal. I accepted it and then gave it back to the Koreans. I had to do this to continue with my boxing career or the memory of this incident would have stayed on in my mind. I would now go back and hug my infant child,” she said.
