Paris: Nishant Dev’s first Olympic journey ended in heartbreak on Saturday as the Indian boxer narrowly lost a split decision in the men’s 71kg quarterfinals. Facing Mexico’s Marco Verde Alvarez, the second seed in the competition, Nishant was defeated 1-4 in a closely contested bout at the North Paris Arena.

The 23-year-old world championship bronze medallist had started strong, taking the lead after the first round. However, Alvarez, who Nishant had previously defeated in the 2021 World Championships, mounted a comeback in the later rounds, ultimately securing the victory by split verdict.

Nishant’s loss is particularly poignant given his prior success against the Mexican boxer, highlighting the intensity and unpredictability of Olympic competition. Despite the disappointment, Nishant’s performance at his maiden Olympics showcased his talent and potential on the world stage, offering hope for future successes.

As Nishant bows out of the Tokyo Games, his focus will likely shift to future tournaments, where he will aim to build on the experience and lessons learned from his Olympic debut.