CELEBRATED Indian women’s boxer Mary Kom won her first Asian Games gold yesterday but a teammate sensationally refused to accept her bronze medal in a row over judging standards.
Five-time world champion Mary, 31, won a split decision against Kazakhstan’s Zhaina Shekerbekova to be crowned flyweight champion.
But attention focused on Sarita Devi after she refused her lightweight bronze medal and tried to hang it around the neck of the South Korean she lost to in the semi-finals.
Sarita’s highly controversial defeat to Park Ji-Na on Tuesday had caused chaotic scenes with her husband scuffling with security and launching an expletives-laden tirade.
Yesterday, Sarita burst into tears as she walked to the podium with her arms folded and her head down.
As she was presented with the bronze she held up her hands and said she would not accept it. Twice officials tried to put it round her neck but she would not comply.
After the other medals had been awarded, Sarita stepped off the podium, took the bronze from the official and went to shake silver medallist Ji-Na’s hand.
As Ji-Na gave a traditional Korean bow, Sarita put the bronze round the bemused fighter’s neck.
“I said, ‘This is for you and all Korea, because you only deserve a bronze,’” Sarita said afterwards.
“It was a protest for all the sportsmen and women of the world against injustice in sport.”
A spokesman said Incheon Asian Games Organising Committee members present had been “offended” by Sarita’s gesture.
The ceremony stole the focus from Mary’s achievement minutes earlier in winning Asian Games gold at flyweight after only taking bronze in 2010 and at the 2012 Olympics.
Mary, the subject of Bollywood biopic “Unbreakable”, had a tough battle against the fast Zhaina, but just did enough in the final two rounds to win on a split decision. AFP