Indian boxing high performance director Bernard Dunn has resigned following the team's disastrous performance in the Italian Olympic qualifiers. Indian boxers failed to secure a single spot for the Paris Olympics in the world qualifiers.
Mr. Dunn submitted his resignation to the Boxing Federation of India.
A member of the BFI executive committee said: “He has resigned and that will be accepted.”
Six male boxers and two female boxers were eliminated in the tournament's opening round in Busto Arsizio, Italy. Only Nishant Dev in the 71kg category won three matches, losing in the quarterfinals one round before clinching a precious Olympic spot.
The performance of male boxers is very poor. India has so far failed to qualify for the Paris Olympics in seven weight classes in two tournaments: the Asian Games and the World Qualifying Tournament. On the women's side, four boxers – Nikhat Zareen, Lovlina Borgohain, Preity Saipower and Parveen Hooda – have qualified for the Paris Asian Games. The focus is on the final qualifying rounds for the Paris Olympics, which will be held in Bangkok from May 23rd.
Dunn has already faced heat for India's dismal performance in the Olympic year, with BFI and Sports Authority of India officials holding a reflection meeting on Wednesday.
A total of nine boxers, five men and four women, qualified for the Tokyo Olympics, with Lovlina Borgohain winning the bronze medal. It is unlikely that so many boxers will be able to participate in the Paris Olympics.
BFI urgently needs to decide on its future path, and the fate of Dmitry Dmitulak, the foreign coach brought in by Dan, is at stake. There are only two months left until the final Olympic qualifying tournament in Thailand.
Dunn, who replaced Santiago Nieva as high performance director, joined the Indian team in October 2022 and his tenure was marked by controversy.
The Irishman's selection method sparked controversy. Dunn abolished selection tests and introduced an evaluation process in international camps based on parameters such as training, technique, weight management and sparring, but this was met with fierce resistance from boxers, coaches and within the BFI.
Some boxers even challenged the selection policy in court. His decision to reduce the number of domestic elite campers was also criticized.
“There is a lack of sparring partners in the national camp. We have a variety of boxers and to develop elite boxers, we need to spar with boxers of different styles. That is not happening. “Most boxers lose in the first round, lose in the first round,'' said one coach on condition of anonymity.''You're on the back foot and it's very difficult to come back in the next two rounds.''
