Mohammad Hussamuddin’s Elimination from World Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament 2024 After Loss to Commonwealth Games Champion

Dara Singh Chahal

9th Mar 2024: Mohammad Hussamuddin, a prominent Indian boxer and world championships bronze medallist, faced a disappointing defeat in the first round of the World Boxing Qualification Tournament for the Paris 2024 Olympics. Competing in the men’s 57kg category, Hussamuddin encountered a formidable opponent in Jude Gallagher of Ireland, the reigning Commonwealth Games champion. Despite Hussamuddin’s experience and credentials, he succumbed to a 4-0 defeat against the 22-year-old Irish boxer.

Hussamuddin’s elimination marks a setback for India’s boxing contingent at the qualification event, with eight out of nine Indian boxers losing their opening matches. Despite being a two-time Commonwealth Games bronze medallist, Hussamuddin couldn’t secure victory in this crucial bout.

Nishant Dev, another talented Indian boxer and world championships bronze medallist, remains the sole hope for India to secure an Olympic quota at the tournament. Dev will compete in the men’s 71kg category and is set to participate in his round of 16 match later on Sunday.

The World Olympic boxing qualification tournament, hosting over 590 boxers, aims to allocate a total of 49 quotas for the 2024 Paris Olympics, including 28 for men and 21 for women. Each weight division offers four quotas, except for women’s 57kg (two quotas) and women’s 60kg (three quotas). Notably, Indian women boxers Nikhat Zareen, Preeti Pawar, Parveen Hooda, and Lovlina Borgohain secured quotas for India at the Asian Games last year.

As the competition intensifies, Nishant Dev’s performance will be closely watched as India seeks to secure vital Olympic berths in boxing for the Paris 2024 Olympics.