Vijender's elimination-A wake up call

For every single person who watched Vijender’s bout with Atoyev yesterday, be it layman or an expert, it was crystal clear than some thing was rotten in the state of Denmark. It took some time to sink in that even in Olympics, refereeing can be this unethical, inept and unprofessional. Indians have been in the receiving end far too many times, to be just a coincidence.

Be it the case of Sangwan, Manoj Kumar or Vikas Krishan, we have every right to feel aggrieved. Using different yardsticks for different countries cannot be condoned in any way. If Vikas’s bout result can be over turned, why not Sangwan’s ,which was by any norm a far greater injustice. The final nail in the coffin was Vijender’s exit.

Commentators were livid, spectators booed and Atoyev’s corner had only a wry smile to flash. No one could comprehend how did Vijender manage to lose after such a clinical performance. It was just outrageous and beyond the limits of sanity to recognize the Uzbek as the winner. Way it is turning out, don’t be surprised if Devendro ends up losing his quarter bout against Paddy Burns even if he manages to knock the wind out of the Irish.

India should raise its voice and take up the matter with IOA ; not just to redress of our genuine grievance but at least to ensure that the scourge of inept , unprofessional refereeing does not violate the sanctity of the Olympics games. AIBA will have a lot of answering to do. Meanwhile Vijender, Sangwan, Manoj and Vikas will remain champions for us.