Jitender makes controversial exit

India8217;s fortunes here again touched the bottom when promising Jitender Kumar, who dominated the bout throughout, was controversially declared loser 3-5 on points to China8217;s Abudur Rehman in the 75 kg class.

The highly controversial decision came as a complete shock to the Indian management which immediately lodged a protest with the technical committee.

The major bone of contention was the citizenship of the boxer. The Indian team has alleged that the boxer is not a Chinese at all. Team manager Ajit Chaudhary in his protest letter wrote:8220;Both the coaches accompanying the boxer were from Kyrgystan and the medical handbook of the boxer was also new and did not have any of his previous record.8221;

The entire Indian management came to know of Abudur Rehman8217;s Kyrgyese origins only when he entered the ring. This prompted Indians to demand for the boxer8217;s passport and also a call for his disqualification.

The Indian team management, which asked for Abudur Rehman8217;s passport, was told the boxer had a valid Chinese passport at the moment. Interestingly, the passport is valid from September 16, 1999 to September 16, 2000.

Indian management, however, believes that their protest is valid because the boxer had been imported from Kyrgystan to China just before the Championships.

8220;This sets an unhealthy precedent,8221; Indian team manager said.

The technical committee will deliberate on the issue tonight and a decision is expected only tomorrow.

Experts, however, contended that the chances of the Indian protest succeeding were slim because theboxer holds a valid Chinese passport. India has demanded that the bout be awarded to India and Jitender be allowed to compete in tomorrow afternoon8217;s semifinals.

The bout itself was clearly dominated by Jitender as he outpunched his rival. Jitender8217;s classic defensive ability also completely nullified Rehman8217;s attack.

Though the judges8217; decision went against Jitender, Indian bench welcomed him back with open arms at the end of the bout, but the dismay was written on everyone8217;s face.

In the lightweight contest, Rana was in complete control of the bout from the very beginning. In fact, he stunned the Tajik boxer in the first few seconds by unleashing a ferocious combination of punches.