"Never leave it to the judges" - Netizens react after boxer Preeti Pawar's close defeat in Round of 16 at Paris Olympics 2024

Indian boxer Preeti Pawar lost to Colombia’s Yeni Arias in the women’s 54 kg event’s Round 16 match in the Paris Olympics 2024. The 20-year-old Indian pugilist lost in the final round via a split decision score of 3:2.

However, after the match, a large number of Indian fans took to social media to express their disappointment in the scoring system of the judges. The fans accused the judges of being biased in favor of Preeti Pawar’s opponent.

“Argentinian and another south American judge in there! Scored all 3 rounds for Columbian only! The Iran and Azerbaijan one for #Preeti. #Olympics boxing and judging remains the same!! #never leave it to the judges! in combat sports never!” one fan wrote on the social media platform X.

Another fan aired similar grievances towards the scoring methods of the South American judges, especially in the first round which the Colombian won 4:1.

“First round was clear Preeti's. Only thing Arias had in 1st round was shouting. Except for 3rd round Preeti was at top in 2 rounds. Interesting that despite 2 warning Argentina & Guatemala judge thought 2nd round was of Arias just based on shouting. Shouting=Aggressive (?),” the fan wrote.

One fan termed the judges ‘blind’ because of their decisions, which were perceived to be biased against Preeti Pawar. The fan wrote:

“Blind judges this Olympics have been so long for us. Well played Preeti.”

“Perplexing judging in Preeti vs Arias,” one fan posted.

Another wrote, “Preeti gave a good fight but it wasn't enough. Also first round 4-1 decision looked unfair to me.”

“These judges are frauds… [They] aren't looking at punches but who is playing more attacking…” one fan posted. “Not [the] 1st time this is happening...this is [the] story of every olympics. No hope from boxing with these fraud judges.”

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Preeti Pawar’s loss to Yeni Arias rounds off a miserable night for Indian boxers in the Paris Olympics 204

Preeti Pawar’s 3:2 defeat to Colombia’s Yeni Arias marked the third defeat for an Indian boxer in the Paris Olympics 2024. Amit Panghal bowed out in the men’s 51 kg event after losing to Patrick Chinyemba, and Jaismine Lamboria lost to the Philippines’ Nesthy Petecio in the women’s 57 kg event.

With the loss of three members of the boxing contingent, the hopes of India winning a third Olympic medal in the sport have suffered a serious blow.

However, Tokyo 2020 bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain will be hoping to change the trend as she faces off against Norway’s Sunniva Hofstad in the women’s 75 kg event on Wednesday, July 31, at 3:50 pm IST.