AIBA provisionally suspends L Sharita Devi

The AIBA in a statement said: "AIBA Executive Committee Bureau decided today October 21, 2014 to provisionally suspend Mrs Laisham Sharita Devi, her coaches (Messrs Gurbakhsh Singh Sandhu, Blas Iglesias Fernandez and Sagar Mai Dhayal) as well as Mr Adille J Sumariwalla, Chef de Mission – India, who were all present at the Incheon 2014 Asian Games, and not to allow any of them to participate at all levels of AIBA Competitions, Events and Meetings until further notice."

"This case has been sent for review by the AIBA Disciplinary Commission, and it means that Mrs Laisham Sharita Devi, the above mentioned coaches as well as Mr Adille H. Sumariwalla will not be allowed to participate to the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships Jeju 2014," it said.

Sarita Devi, who was denied an opportunity to vie for a Gold since all judges had ruled in favour of the local boxer in South Korea in her semi-final in the ongoing Asian Games, was in tears in the podium when she was asked to accept the bronze, as she refused to wear the medal in protest.

Instead of wearing the bronze medal after taking it in her hand, she handed it over to South Korean silver medalist Ji Na Park who had defeated Sarita in the bout of controversy.

L Sarita Devi (60kg) was defeated in a controversial match against local boxer Jina Park as she had to settle for the bronze.

Controversy clouded the match where Devi lost to Park 3-0 despite  clearly being the better boxer.

Despite hit by Sarita's punches on her chins, the referee Algerian referee Hammadi Yakoub Kheira did not give a single standing count.

All three ringside judges ruled in favour of the local boxer.

Sarita told media then: "I am feeling very sad."  She also slammed the Indian officials later for not reaching out to her.