Sanjeet, India’s heavyweight boxer, lost 2-3 to Ato Faoagali of Samoa Islands in Round of 16 bout in the 92kg category at the Commonwealth Games 2022 on Saturday. The decision, a split verdict, left the Rohtak-based athlete shocked. 

Sanjeet dominated for most of the bout. His aggressive strategy paid off in the first round, which he won be a unanimous decision. The Indian boxer lead the second round 3-2. However, in the third, his Samoan opponent came back strong and recorded perfect 10 scores by each judge. 

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In the final round, judges had a split decision. Two marked scores of 29-28 in favour of Faoagali, while two judges  marked scores of 29-28 in favour of Sanjeet. An official from Sri Lanka gave final scores of 28-28 to both. But in the tie-breaking decision, he chose Faoagali. 

Sanjeet, Asian champion, was celebrating as the results were being announced. He raised his hand to the crowd. However, when Faoagali was announced as the winner, the Indian was visibly shocked. The boxer from Samoa Islands, meanwhile, jumped in joy. 

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Several Indian fans slammed the Sri Lankan judge’s decision as biased. 

“Srilankan judge always gives biased decision against India in #boxing sanjeet was little defensive but should have won this competition,” a social media user tweeted. 

“SANJEET ROBBED BY THE JUDGES 🤯🤯🤯JOKER OF A JUDGE THE SRILANKAN ONE,” another one tweeted. 

“Sanjeet was ROBBED. Wdym by judge’s preference??? Like if it’s a draw you choose favourites?” a third one said. 

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Asian Champion Sanjeet had defeated five-time medallist and Rio Olympic silver winner Kazakhstan’s Vassiliy Levit in the finals of Asian Championship in June 2021. 

“My practice and preparations are going great for the Commonwealth Games. I’m very excited to represent my country in the Games. Competition is always tough, I will give my 100%,” Sanjeet had said ahead of the Games.