Afghans rejoice despite failure

Basharmal Sultani was beaten in his first-round boxing match. But in the eyes of the crowd, the Afghan welterweight was a big winner.

Basharmal Sultani was beaten in his first-round boxing match. But in the eyes of the crowd, the Afghan welterweight was a big winner.

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Sultani, the only boxer in Afghanistan's four-member delegation in Athens, was supported by dozens of frenzied, screaming fans, most waving an Afghan flag or wearing white T-shirts with the flag on the chest.

They packed one corner of Peristeri Olympic Boxing Hall. Each time Sultani landed a punch or charged at Egypt's Mohamed Hikal, they erupted in cheers or chants of "Sultani! Sultani!" The 19-year-old, who's only 5-foot-7, received a special invitation to the Olympics.

Though Hikal won 40-12 in one of the day's most one-sided fights, Sultani got another ovation when he left the ring.