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Boxer Sarita Devi on Wednesday received her 2014 Asian Games bronze medal, which she had refused to accept, from the Indian Olympic Association Secretary General, Rajeev Mehta.
Sarita broke down on the podium during the medal ceremony and refused to take her medal with her following a controversial semi-final defeat in the lightweight (57-60kg) category at Incheon.
She accepted the medal but handed it to South Korean silver medalist Ji Na Park, who had defeated Sarita in a disputed bout.
Sarita's stance led the International Boxing Association (AIBA) to provisionally suspend the boxer. However the AIBA is yet to take a final call on the quantum of the punishment.
Mehta presented the medal to the boxer at the IOA Headquarters. “L Sarita Devi, bronze medal winner in boxing 60kg weight category in 17th Asian Games 2014 held in Incheon, Korea received her medal in New Delhi. The Secretary General, Indian Olympic Association Rajeev Mehta handed over the medal to her in the office of the IOA in New Delhi," the IOA said in a statement.
Sarita was provisionally suspended by the Amateur International Boxing Association (AIBA) for her behaviour after the defeat against Park.
The AIBA is yet to take a final call on the severity of Sarita’s punishment but Dr Ching-Kuo Wu has already made it clear that her career is ‘as good as over’ despite Devi tendering an unconditional apology for her actions.
Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal wrote a letter to the AIBA to revoke the provisional suspension on Sarita, considering her humble background and track record of good behaviour. Cricket icon Sachin Tendulkar also extended support to Sarita while urging the people, the government and sports bodies to work for Sarita’s cause.
Mehta assured Sarita that the IOA is with her. “I had a lengthy discussion with Sarita today and I told her the IOA is behind her. We have also written a letter to the AIBA to take a lenient view on her,” he said.
