Boxing: Gutsy Satish Kumar's debut Olympics ends with loss to world champ Jalolov in QFs
Tokyo: A badly bruised Satish Kumar (+91kg) put up a gutsy performance against reigning world champion Bakhodir Jalolov but it was not enough to upstage the rampaging Uzbek as the Indian boxer made a quarterfinal exit from the Olympic Games here on Sunday.
Taking the ring with multiple stitches on his forehead and chin after sustaining cuts in the pre-quarters, Satish lost 0-5 but the scoreline was not reflective of his brave performance.
Satish, a two-time Asian Games bronze-winner and multiple-time national champion, had scripted history by just qualifying for the Games as he was the first super heavyweight from India to achieve the feat.
"He is a bit low right now but when he settles down, he will realise how big it was for him to fight it out with those cuts," Indian Boxing's High Performance Director Santiago Nieva told PTI.
"The fight he gave despite the blows is praiseworthy. Every punch that Jalolov connected added to his pain, he was feeling it all through. The Uzbek boxer is a special talent," he said.
The 32-year-old Army man stood his ground in the biggest bout of his career, occasionally managed to land a shot with his right hand but Jalolov dominated the proceedings all through, relying on his imposing demeanour and excellent counter-attacking game to sail through.
What stood out about the Commonwealth Games silver-winner was his resolve to fight it out. The former kabaddi player from Uttar Pradesh's Bulandshahr did not hesitate to launch attacks despite the risk of his cuts opening up.
Satish's forehead cut did open up eventually during the third round but he fought through even with that.
"Satish was seriously injured with 13 stitches above his eye and on his chin. That he still decided to fight against the No. 1 boxer shows his courage and patriotism.
"Not many will take blows for their country like Satish did today. We are very proud of him," Boxing Federation of India President Ajay Singh said.
Jalolov, a 27-year-old footballer-turned-boxer, also acknowledged his rival's bravery at the end of the bout by nodding in appreciation towards him after securing his maiden Olympic Games medal.
Jalolov is also a three-time Asian champion, all those gold medals coming in succession to him since 2017.
With this the Indian men's boxing campaign came to an end in the Games.
Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) remains the lone pugilist in fray after having made the semifinals to secure India's first and only boxing medal of the ongoing edition.
On Saturday, it was a major disappointment for India when world number one Amit Panghal (52kg) bowed out of the event following a 1-4 loss to Rio Games silver-medallist Yuberjen Martinez of Colombia.
An injured Vikas Krishan (69kg), and the debutant duo of Manish Kaushik (63kg) and Ashish Chaudhary (75kg) had earlier bowed out following opening-round losses.
In the women's competition, six-time world champion M C Mary Kom (51kg), two-time Asian champion Pooja Rani (75kg) and world bronze-winner Simranjit Kaur (60kg) had lost in the preliminary stage.
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J-K MP Mehdi criticises CM Omar Abdullah for failing to 'condemn' Khamenei's assassination
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Srinagar (PTI): National Conference MP Aga Ruhullah Mehdi on Monday criticised Jammu and Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah for failing to "condemn" the assassination of Iranian Supreme leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
Mehdi said if Abdullah cannot find the courage to condemn the assassination of Khamenei, his words of concern for the situation in the Gulf country have no value for the people who followed and respected the Supreme leader of Iran.
"While going through Tweets and statements, I found that he is "concerned" and falls short of condemnation, let alone a word of tribute," Mehdi said in a post on X without naming the chief minister.
The Lok Sabha member from Srinagar constituency, who is in an estranged relationship with the ruling National Conference, said if Abdullah does not have the courage to condemn the act of aggression against a sovereign nation, he should keep his concern to himself.
"If you cannot find the courage to condemn an act of aggression against a sovereign nation and assassination of a highly respected religious figure who is widely followed by your electorate and fellow citizens, because the people in power in the centre you are trying to cosy up to will get upset- Keep your "concern" with yourself," Mehdi added.
The chief minister on Sunday said he was deeply concerned about the unfolding developments in Iran, including the killing of Iran's Supreme Leader, Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
"I appeal to all communities to remain calm, uphold peace, and avoid any actions that could lead to tension or unrest," he posted on X.
National Conference issued a statement attributed to party president Farooq Abdullah in which he condemned the killing of Khamenei in joint strikes by the US and Israel.
"(Farooq) Abdullah has strongly denounced the act, describing it as a tragic and destabilising development with serious implications for peace and stability in the region," the National Conference said in the statement.
While going through Tweets and statements I found that he is “concerned” and falls short of condemnation let alone a word of tribute.
— Aga Syed Ruhullah Mehdi (@RuhullahMehdi) March 1, 2026
If you cannot find courage to condemn an act of aggression against a sovereign nation and assassination of a highly respected religious figure…
