She has offered unconditional apology but Sarita Devi on Friday hoped that her outburst would ensure better judging at next month's World Championship in Korea — the country where she felt "wronged".
On her return from Incheon, Sarita said the episode had left her mentally drained. "I hope the judging is better in the World Championship (scheduled from November 13 to 25 in Jeju Islands). South Korea is hosting it and I am hoping that my protest will make some difference to the standard of judging. I hope nobody feels wronged like I did. No boxer should go through this, we work so hard,” she said.
“I apologised because I did not want any other Indian boxer to suffer. I fight for my country and by apologising I have tried to ensure that no other Indian gets affected. I feel I was wronged,” she said.
“We suffered a lot due to the federation’s termination earlier, I didn’t want anything new to affect our boxers.” Recalling her emotional moments at the podium, Sarita said she was not in control. “I could not control myself on the podium. I offered her (Park) the medal because that's what she deserved. I deserved better. She came to me to return the bronze but I could not take it, I was too overwhelmed. She requested me to take it back,” Sarita recalled.
“I am not angry with her. She was just fighting like me. The wrong was done by others. It was not her fault,” she added.
Sarita had to borrow money to lodge a protest after the semifinal as no Indian official came forward to help her but the boxer said she does not want to dwell on it anymore.
“I have already said a lot about the Indian officials’ attitude. I need not add to it but I do hope that they back athletes when they need them. We fight for the country, we deserve this much if not more,” she said. However, the former World and Asian champion was overwhelmed by support from boxers of other countries. “I was applauded wherever I went. Even at the airport, some Thai boxers walked up to me and supported me. They lauded my performance and congratulated me. It was very touching,” she recalled.
Reflecting on her future, Sarita said, “I am taking a week’s break to recharge myself. May be spending time with my infant son will help me get over what has happened. That’s the only way I can put this behind me and move ahead,” she said.
On a lighter note, the boxer said she would now try more for knockouts. “That’s better, leaves no doubt for anyone,” she said with a laugh.