Team GB boxer Qais Ashfaq has claimed that his Olympic dream in Rio "wasn't meant to be" after he was eliminated in the opening preliminary bout.
The 23-year-old became the fifth British competitor to get knocked out of the Games when he lost on points to Chatchai Butdee of Thailand in the men's bantamweight event.
"I knew he was going to be sharp and I knew he was going to be strong," Ashfaq told reporters. "I know I'm more than capable of beating kids like that but it wasn't my day, it wasn't meant to be.
"I'm a firm believer that what's meant to be, is meant to be and I guess it wasn't meant to be. I didn't feel myself in there. I guess it's been a long wait for me to box and I'm not used to that, but I can't use that as an excuse.
"On the day, I got beaten by the better kid. I've been feeling amazing and I'm in the best shape of my life. That's never going to be an excuse. There was no freeze. He's a lot older than me though. He's been to a couple of Olympics and I guess experience showed a bit that's all."
Half of the 10 boxers that Team GB sent to Rio have been knocked out of the Games.
Danielle Joynson
