By Nick Butler

Sarita Devi was banned after refused to accept the bronze medal she won in Incheon ©Getty ImagesIndian boxer Sarita Devi has vowed to use the one-year ban imposed after she refused to accept an Asian Games bronze medal to build towards winning an Olympic title at Rio 2016, while she also claims she plans to release an autobiography.


The 29-year-old was so outraged after a controversial semi-final defeat to South Korean home favourite Park Ji-na in the women's lightweight division in Incheon, which she believed she should have won, she refused to accept her bronze medal.

Instead, she placed it around the neck of Park, the eventual silver medallist.

The judging provoked consternation in India but  the International Boxing Association (AIBA) strongly defended their judging system, with the body's President C K Wu at one stage warning her boxing career was "finished". 

In the end, Devi received a one-year suspension, as well as a fine of CHF 1,000 (£660/$1,040/€830).

She admitted afterwards that the eventual punishment was a partial relief.

"I will positively use the year by practising and working on my problem areas to correct them," she told local reporters.

"I have faith in myself.

"I will take the year as a challenge to hone my skills and techniques to be ready for the next Olympics in 2016.

"My focus is now on earning an Olympic medal for my country."

Cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, India's best known sportsman, was among those to offer support to Sarita Devi ©Getty ImagesCricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, India's best known sportsman, was among those to offer support to Sarita Devi ©Getty Images



Devi, who received support from a variety of figures ranging from the country's Sports Minister Sarbananda Sonowal to cricket legend Sachin Tendulkar, praised those who supported her in her stance, admitting that the backing lifted her morale.

She then revealed details of her autobiography, which she intends to publish after Rio 2016.

She will follow the path set by fellow female boxing pioneer Mary Kom, India's five-time world champion and London 2012 flyweight bronze medal winner who published her autobiography, Unbreakable, in 2013.

The book was the basis for biographical film about Kom last September in which she was played by Bollywood actress Priyanka Chopra.

"We share a lot in common, coming from Manipur to our humble origins," Devi told The Telegraph in Calcutta.

It is possible, however, that her Olympic medal dream could be disrupted by a fresh controversy in Indian boxing, with AIBA President CK Wu having urged the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) to comply with the Olympic Charter and reverse its decision to reject Boxing India's application for National Federation recognition.

With Boxing India the body recognised by AIBA to govern the sport in the country, if the IOA decision is not reversed, India is facing a resumption of a ban from international boxing, only lifted in February 2013, after a previous dispute over the running of the sport. 

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