Comments Thread For: Boxer's Medal Refusal Creates High Drama at Games

[BIGPOPPAPUMP]

INCHEON South Korea - Indian boxer L Sarita Devi's refusal to accept her bronze medal on the podium went against the values of sportsmanship, Asian Games organisers said on Thursday, adding they were reviewing the incident and could take action against her.

Sarita refused to wear the medal when it was presented on Wednesday, taking it only in her hand before trying to d**** it over the South Korean fighter who had beaten her the previous day.

When the presentation was over, she left the medal behind, despite being told by the organisers to take it with her.
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[Hougigo]

I think the Indian won pretty clearly.

Probably more action here than the officiating

[Butt stuff]

If they mugged her then fair play to her, sacrificing your health and life to train and compete only to have it taken away from you is eggy.

I don't know how Roy Jones took it so well when they did the same thing to him.

[betmen]

After the other medals had been awarded, Devi stepped off the podium, took the bronze from the official and went to shake silver medallist Park's hand.

As Park gave a traditional Korean bow, Devi put the bronze round the bemused fighter's neck.

"I said, 'This is for you and all Korea, because you only deserve a bronze,'" Devi told AFP afterwards.

"It was a protest for all the sportsmen and women of the world against injustice in sport."

A spokesman told AFP that the Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee members present had been "offended" by Devi's gesture.

"If she wanted to refuse the medal she should have not come to the ceremony," he said.

The ceremony stole the focus from Kom's achievement minutes earlier in winning Asian Games gold at flyweight after only taking bronze in 2010 and at the 2012 Olympics.

Kom, the subject of Bollywood biopic "Unbreakable", had a tough battle against the fast Shekerbekova, but just did enough in the final two rounds to win on a split decision.

A former international athlete, Sumariwalla hinted that Sarita decision to refuse the medal was pre-planned. "She had 24 hours and this was not an emotional decision to not accept medal," he said.(Bout Was Fixed: Sarita's Husband Cries Foul)

A bitter Sarita had slammed India's boxing officials, too. On Tuesday, she said she felt ignored because "she was from the North-east." On Wednesday, soon after the medal ceremony drama, Sarita said: "It has been 24 hours and not one official has come to speak with me and ask me if I am fine. They just come here to take photos with medallists and nothing else." Sumariwalla said this was not true.

The 32-year-old Sarita later said she would continue to compete as she wants to set an example for future boxers, but "this is not acceptable." Sarita lost on points against Park in a bout where she was the dominant boxer.

[Lou Cipher]

She did the right thing. Let them keep their junk corrupt medals. This is good preparation for the pros

[bojangles1987]

The video of the medal ceremony is heartbreaking. I'm glad she did what she did. These athletes work so hard for these chances, it's not the least bit right to screw them this way.

They've been robbing everyone during these games, too, not just boxers. "Sportsmanship." Where's the sportsmanship in their corruption?

[UTEP]

Good for her. She was robbed big time. Hopefully this sends a message.

[{Pito}]

This is fycked up! Even the analysts during the fight were for the most part on Saritas' side. Aiba or more importantly Korea is corrupt as sh.t
Korea without a doubt known for robberies. They shouldn't hold sporting events over there at all.