Defeated but not vanquished
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: August 11, 2012 -

Just like our 'Magnificent" Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, who won the hearts of millions despite her disappointing lost to Nicola Adams of Great Britain 6-11 in the semi-final bout of women's flyweight (51 kg) in London Olympic on Wednesday, thus settling herself with a historic bronze medal for India; the praises and adulation pouring in for 20-year old Manipuri pugilist Laishram Devendro, who went down 18-23 after putting up a spirited fighting against 23-year old Paddy Barnes of Ireland in the quarter-finals bout of 49 kg men's light flyweight category on August 8 night, are simply mind-boggling.

As in the case of Mary Kom, our Facebook page has been overflowing with comments over the 'terrific' performance of Devendro.

With his defeat, the hope of Indian boxing squad to better its record of a bronze medal won at Beijing Olympics in men's boxing went up in smoke, but the crowd was spontaneous in its applause not only for Paddy but also for Devendro.

After the fight, Irish coaches were all praise for Devendro and Paddy himself admitted, "He's a real good talent, young and energetic.

I needed to employ my best defence today..... I'm older, and my defence was the key.

But four years of experience, and Devendro would become a strong contender".

What better complement, one could want than this! Though Devendro may not have fulfilled the aspiration of his father to come home with an Olympic medal, we are sure that his father too would have been really proud to see his son fighting so gloriously like the millions of well-wishers around the globe, who have nothing but praise for his son in spite of missing the chance to climb the Olympic medal podium.

As one of the well-wishers has noted, 'it was a defeat, which you don't feel like a defeat'.

That says something truly about the young boxer and his skills.

Besides, showing his potentials in the ring, Devendro has become a source of inspiration to many people not only in this strife-torn state but also in other parts of the world.

Moreover, his never-say-die fighting spirit till the end has rekindled a bright and new hope not only for himself but also for the future of Indian boxing.

His unstoppable attacks on opponent right from the word go and his quick moves in the ring, whether it be footwork or with jabs and hooks, are something other boxers would find hard to cultivate.

Four years from now, we can be sure that Devendro would be in a better form and everyone would be looking forward to his power-packed punches in the ring in the next Olympics at Rio de Janeiro in 2016.

Till then, like everyone, we would also like to join in saluting his young and inspiring boxer, who despite suffering defeat could not be vanquished and written off at all.