The Invisible Korean Hand In Injustice To Sarita

INCHEON: Indian woman boxer Sarita Devi and her cousin Devendro Singh justifiably feel cheated, robbed and deprived of possible gold medals at the Incheon Asian Games.

Ever since the decision went against her, Sarita Devi was only seen crying inconsolably and she obviously took it to heart. That was evident from the way she refused to accept the bronze awarded to her for her semi-final loss in the lightweight division.

Intriguingly, both the Indian boxers lost their bouts against the Korean opponents and there lies the catch. There are ways and ways to get a verdict in your favour in non-measurable sports. In boxing, a bench of three judges adjudicates a bout and the outcome is decided on a majority vote.

There was no need of a review or protest over the verdict after the reported statement of Sarita's opponent Park Jina that she was embarrassed as the Indian was the clear winner. If she had indeed stated thus then the judges should be investigated and punished.

By all accounts what happened to Sarita was blatantly unfair and what she did at the prize distribution ceremony was her emotional outburst. As an international boxer of standing even she knows that she has crossed the line by refusing to let the bronze medal be put around her neck, but then these things happen at the spur of the moment even though the International Boxing Association (AIBA) see it differently.

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