Busto Arsizio (Italy), March 3

India’s campaign at the first World Olympic Boxing Qualifier was off to a disappointing start with Deepak Bhoria (51kg) and Narender Berwal (+92kg) making opening round exits here today.

World Championships bronze medallist Bhoria lost 2-3 to Azerbaijan’s Huseynov Nijat, while Berwal was out-punched by 2022 European champion Nelvie Tiafack of Germany, losing 0-5.

Boxers who fail to earn quotas here will get one final chance to seal their passage to the Paris Games during the second World Olympic Boxing Qualifier, scheduled to be held in Bangkok from May 23 to June 3.