Jai Bhagwan crashed out of the London Olympics, bowing out in the pre-quarterfinals of the men’s light weight category (60kg) here on Thursday.
After starting impressively, Bhagwan lost steam in the second and third rounds to go down 8-16 to Gani Zhailauov of Kazakhstan at the ExCel arena.
The 12th-ranked Indian pipped his opponent in the opening round with powerful straight punches.
Leading 2-3 after the end of the first round, Bhagwan lost his touch and rhythm in the next round as the eighth-ranked Zhailauov staged a comeback.
A change of strategy seemed to work wonders for the Kazakh boxer, as Bhagwan was a bit complacent in the second round.
Decisive round
Zhailauov, seeded fifth in the Games, ran away with the second round, pocketing it 10-3, including three penalty points against the Indian for continuously ducking his head.
Going into the final round trailing by six points, Bhagwan needed an extraordinary display to close the gap, but could hardly make an impression on the Kazakh boxer.
Zhailauov will now face fourth-seeded Yasnier Toledo Lopez of Cuba in the quarterfinals.
