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Italian Boxer Angela Carini Abandons Bout Amidst Gender Eligibility ControversyAt the 2024 Paris Olympics, Italian boxer Angela Carini made a shocking decision to abandon her bout against Algerian Imane Khelif after just 46 seconds. The incident has sparked a major debate in the boxing community, as Khelif was previously disqualified from the 2023 World Championship due to failing an unspecified gender eligibility test.Carini's decision to walk out of the ring left her in tears. She had taken a few punches from Khelif, who had been cleared to compete in Paris despite her previous disqualification. Carini's headgear was dislodged at least once before she decided to end the fight.After the bout, Carini revealed that she had suffered a suspected broken nose and felt intense pain. "I felt a severe pain in my nose, and with the maturity of a boxer, I said 'enough,' because I didn't want to, I couldn't finish the match," she said.Khelif's presence at the Olympics has raised questions about the International Boxing Association's (IBA) gender eligibility criteria. The IBA has not disclosed the specific reasons for Khelif's disqualification from the 2023 World Championship, leading to speculation and concerns about the fairness of the process.Carini's decision to abandon the bout has also highlighted the challenges faced by female boxers in a sport that has historically been dominated by men. The incident has sparked discussions about the need for greater transparency and inclusivity in boxing.

India's Medal Hopes Soar at Paris Olympics 2024: Day 6 PreviewDay 6 of the Paris Olympics 2024 promises to be a thrilling one for India, with several medal contenders taking to the field. Badminton stars PV Sindhu, Lakshya Sen, and the men's doubles pair of Satwiksairaj Rankireddy and Chirag Shetty will be in action.In shooting, Swapnil Kusale will aim to secure India's third medal in the 50m rifle 3-positions final. Sift Kaur Samra and Anjum Moudgil will also compete in the women's 50m rifle three positions qualification.Boxer Nikhat Zareen will face China's Yu Wu in the pre-quarterfinals of women's flyweight boxing. The Indian hockey team will face a tough challenge against Belgium in a men's Pool B match.Archery will see Pravin Jadhav compete in the men's individual 1/32 eliminations. In athletics, Akshdeep, Vikash, and Paramjeet Singh will participate in the men's 20km race walk final, while Priyanka Goswami will compete in the women's 20m race walk final.Golfers Gaganjeet Bhullar and Shubhankar Sharma will aim for glory in the men's individual finals. Vishnu Saravanan will represent India in the men's dinghy race, while Nethra Kumanan will compete in the women's dinghy race.In table tennis, India's women's singles players will compete in the quarterfinals.

Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain has commenced her quest for a second consecutive Games medal with a confident victory in her opening bout at the ongoing Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. The Indian boxer outpunched Norway's Sunniva Hofstad 5-0 in the 75kg category, moving one step closer to adding to her Tokyo bronze, which she claimed in the 69kg category.Borgohain's path to the podium is not without challenges. She will face top-seeded Chinese boxer Li Qian in the quarterfinals on August 4. A victory in this bout would guarantee her at least a bronze medal.In her opening bout, Borgohain displayed composure and precision, keeping her distance and landing clean blows on counter-attack. Despite Hofstad's attempts to engage in a slugfest, Borgohain maintained her composure and avoided falling into her opponent's trap.Borgohain's performance is a testament to her resilience and ability to overcome adversity. In Tokyo, she defeated world champion Chen Nien-Chin in the quarterfinals to secure her bronze medal.Her opponent in the quarterfinals, Li Qian, is a formidable opponent. She won a silver medal in the 75kg category at the Tokyo Games and a bronze in the 2016 Rio Games. She also claimed a gold medal at the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, China.The Indian boxing campaign at the Commonwealth Games has been mixed so far. Three of the six boxers in contention have already been eliminated, including former Asian Games champion Amit Panghal (51kg), Preeti Pawar (54kg), and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg).Apart from Borgohain, the Indian boxing contingent still in contention includes world champion Nikhat Zareen (women's 50kg) and Nishant Dev (men's 71kg).

Former world number one boxer Amit Panghal's hopes of qualifying for the Paris Olympics were dashed on Tuesday as he suffered a disappointing 1-4 loss to Zambia's Patrick Chinyemba in the 51kg pre-quarterfinal bout.Panghal, who had received an opening round bye, faced a determined Zambian opponent in Chinyemba, the reigning African Games champion. The Indian boxer struggled to find his rhythm in the opening round, as Chinyemba took the initiative and put him under pressure.Despite trailing on three cards, Panghal fought back in the second round, but his punches lacked the accuracy and power to trouble Chinyemba. The Zambian boxer continued to dominate the bout, taking the second round 3-2.In the final three minutes, both boxers exchanged heavy blows, but Panghal was unable to make a significant impact. The Indian boxer, who had suffered a similar exit in the Tokyo Olympics, failed to impress any of the judges and ultimately bowed out of the competition.Panghal's defeat marks a setback for Indian boxing, which has been struggling to maintain its dominance in recent years. The 2019 world championship silver medallist had been one of India's brightest hopes for a medal in Paris, but his early exit has raised concerns about the team's overall performance.

Nigerian boxer Cynthia Temitayo Ogunsemilore's Olympic dreams have been shattered after she was suspended for violating anti-doping regulations. The International Testing Agency (ITA) announced on Saturday that a sample collected from Ogunsemilore on Thursday, a day before the Paris Olympics opening ceremony, tested positive for furosemide, a banned diuretic and masking agent.Furosemide is prohibited by the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) as it can be used to reduce weight or mask the presence of other performance-enhancing substances. The 22-year-old Ogunsemilore, who was set to make her Olympic debut in the under 60 kg category on Monday, has been provisionally suspended until the resolution of the matter.The ITA stated that Ogunsemilore has been informed of the case and has the right to challenge her suspension at the Court of Arbitration for Sport. She can also request an analysis of the B sample.Ogunsemilore's suspension marks the third doping case at the Paris Olympics. Iraqi judoka Sajjad Sehen tested positive for anabolic steroids, while Dominican volleyball player Lisvel Eve Mejia also tested positive for furosemide.The ITA's swift action in detecting and suspending athletes for doping violations sends a strong message that the use of performance-enhancing substances will not be tolerated at the Olympics. It also highlights the importance of maintaining a level playing field and protecting the integrity of the Games.Ogunsemilore's suspension is a major setback for the Nigerian boxing team and a reminder that the fight against doping in sports remains an ongoing battle. It is crucial for athletes to adhere to anti-doping regulations and prioritize fair play and ethical competition.

Nikhat Zareen, India's two-time world boxing champion, is eagerly anticipating her Olympic debut in Paris. Despite being a newcomer to the Olympic stage, Zareen is determined to make a mark and bring home a medal.Zareen's journey to the Olympics has been marked by unwavering determination and a relentless pursuit of excellence. From her humble beginnings in athletics to her rise as a boxing sensation, she has overcome countless obstacles to reach the pinnacle of her sport.The pressure of representing India at the Olympics is immense, but Zareen embraces it as a source of motivation. She draws inspiration from the Olympic rings, which she sees as a symbol of her ultimate goal: an Olympic gold medal.Zareen acknowledges the unpredictability of boxing and the importance of luck in the draw. However, she believes that if a medal is destined for her, no one can take it away. She is confident in her abilities and has put in the necessary hard work to ensure that she is ready for the challenge.To prepare for the Olympics, Zareen has undergone rigorous training sessions that have pushed her physical and mental limits. She has endured grueling conditioning sessions and intense sparring matches, all in the pursuit of perfection.Zareen understands the importance of staying focused and avoiding distractions. She limits her social media usage and minimizes contact with her family to maintain her concentration. She knows that an Olympic medal has the power to transform lives and is determined to make the most of this opportunity.Despite her lack of Olympic experience, Zareen is confident in her abilities and the support of her team. She is eager to showcase her skills on the world stage and make India proud.

India's Kabilan Sai Ashok to Officiate at Paris Olympics, Making HistoryIndia's former international boxer Kabilan Sai Ashok has etched his name in history by becoming the youngest Indian to officiate at the Olympic Games. The 32-year-old has been appointed as a Referee Judge for the Paris Olympics, which commence on Friday.Sai Ashok's appointment marks a significant milestone for Indian boxing. He is only the fourth Indian since 1904 to officiate at the Olympics, and the first to have represented the country as both a player and an official at a World Championship event.Beyond his Olympic appointment, Sai Ashok has also made waves in the boxing administration. He currently serves as a boxing administrator at the Army Sports Institute in Pune and holds the distinction of being the first Indian to become the president of the World Military Boxing Council.Sai Ashok's rise to prominence has been marked by his exceptional skills and dedication. He holds the record of being the only Indian referee to have been fast-tracked from two-star to three-star status. His appointment as a Referee Judge at the Paris Olympics is a testament to his expertise and the high regard in which he is held within the boxing community.The last Indian to officiate at the Olympics was in 2012 in London. Sai Ashok's appointment as a Referee Judge for the Paris Olympics is a proud moment for India and a reflection of the country's growing stature in the sport of boxing.

Indian boxing is poised to make history at the upcoming Paris Olympics, with a strong contingent of medal contenders aiming to surpass the nation's previous Olympic boxing medal tally of three. Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain, and Nishant Dev will lead the charge, navigating challenging draws in their respective weight classes.Zareen, the reigning world champion in the light-flyweight (50kg) division, faces a formidable challenge. Her half of the draw includes top medal contenders Wu Yu (China), Chuthamat Raksat (Thailand), and Sabina Bobokulov (Uzbekistan). Zareen's opening bout against Germany's Maxi Klotzer will be followed by a potential clash with top-seeded Wu. If she overcomes these hurdles, she could face Raksat or Bobokulova, both of whom have recently defeated her.Amit Panghal (51kg) has had a rollercoaster year, but he is determined to make amends for his first-round exit in Tokyo. He has received a first-round bye and will face African Games champion Patrick Chinyemba in the round of 16. Panghal's path to the semifinals could include Asian Games silver medalist Thitisan Panmod (Thailand) and Rio Olympics and reigning world champion Hassanboy Dusmatov (Uzbekistan).Nishant, one of India's most consistent performers, has received a favorable draw. With a first-round bye, he will take on Ecuador's Rodriguez Tenorio in the pre-quarters. If successful, he will face Pan American Games champion Merco Verde (Mexico) in the quarterfinals and potentially top seed Sewon Okazawa (Japan) in the semifinals.Borgohain, the reigning Olympic bronze medalist in the 69kg category, has moved up to 75kg. She will face Norway's Sunniva Hofstad in the first round, but her quarterfinal opponent, Chinese Li Qian, poses a significant challenge. Qian is a two-time Olympic and world medalist and defeated Borgohain at the Asian Games.Preeti Pawar (54kg) and Jaismine Lamboria (57kg) will make their Olympic debuts. Pawar will face Vietnam's Vo Thi Kim Anh in the first round, while Lamboria has a daunting task against Tokyo silver medalist Nesthy Petecio (Philippines) in her opening bout.The boxing events at the Paris Games will be held at two venues, with the early rounds taking place at the North Paris Arena and the semifinals and finals at the iconic Stade Roland-Garros.

Amit Panghal, the 28-year-old Indian boxer, has undergone a remarkable transformation since the Tokyo Olympics. After a brief setback, he has regained his spot on the national team and is determined to fulfill his grandfather's dream of winning an Olympic medal.Panghal's grandfather, Captain Jagram Panghal, was an undefeated wrestler in his village. His image is now tattooed on Panghal's shoulder blade, serving as a constant source of inspiration. "It ensures he is always around me. I draw a lot of peace and confidence from it," Panghal says.Despite being the world No. 1, Panghal suffered a disappointing exit in the opening bout of the Tokyo Olympics. However, his resilience has propelled him to a second chance at Olympic glory.Panghal's resurgence began with a victory at the Strandja Memorial in February. He then topped the evaluation criteria at the national camp, earning his return to the team.To prepare for Paris, Panghal underwent a month-long training stint at the high-altitude center in Shilaroo, Himachal Pradesh. This has significantly improved his endurance and stamina."My endurance has improved a lot. Initially, I would lose steam after a bit of brisk walking at this altitude, but now I feel fresh throughout the bout," Panghal says.Panghal has also worked on his starting problems, which cost him in Tokyo. He now plans to adopt a more proactive approach from the opening round."The solution is to go on early attacks and land a few punches to impress the judges. I have changed my reactive strategy and have decided to be proactive," he says.Panghal identifies Cuban Alejandro Carlo and Uzbekistan's Hasanboy Dusmatov as his main threats in Paris. However, he remains confident in his ability to counter taller opponents with his pacy in-out style."It's the style that has worked best for me. I feel the endurance work will enable me to pull this off against the best," he says.