Beijing, Aug 20: Pugilist Vijender Singh created history on Wednesday after he became India’s third medal winner at the Beijing Olympics. Vijender defeated Carlos Gongora of Ecaudor, assuring him an entry into the semi-finals as well as at least a bronze medal. Wrestler Sushil Kumar had won a bronze in the freestyle event earlier in the day.
Vijender, competing in the 75 kg middleweight category, dominated the entire bout, eventually winning 9-4. The win has ensured that India will come back from Beijing with its biggest ever Olympic medal haul. This is India’s first ever Olympic medal in boxing.
Vijender had earlier stormed into the quarter-finals of the 75 kg middleweight Boxing event on Saturday after he outclassed Thailand’s Champuphuang Angkhan 13-3 in a one sided match.
Vijender thoroughly dominated his bout to tame Angkhan Chomphuphuang of Thailand 13-3 to sail into the quarterfinals of the 75kg category event.
Though the Thai managed to land a punch on Vijender in the second round, it was too little against the marauding Haryana lad did enough to stretch his lead to 6-1.
The third round saw the Indian dictating terms sending Angkhan scurrying for covers. The Thai's aggression was frustrated by fast movement of Vijender who swung away from his punches.
The Thai never looked like staging a comeback as Vijender ensured his superiority remains intact and in the end, it turned out to be a facile win for the Indian.
Making most of his height advantage and long reach to unnerve the Thai who looked confounded, Vijender unleashed mostly upper cuts and jabs and the rival had no clue as to what was going.
It was a sweet revenge for Vijender, who had lost to the Thai in the Asian Championship in Ulan Bator, Mongolia, and had to be content with silver.
Bhiwani, Haryana: This dusty city in Haryana on Wednesday evening erupted in joy after local youth Vijender Kumar beat his Ecuadorian opponent in the 75 kg boxing quarterfinal to enter the semi-finals in the Beijing Olympics.
Vijender's entry into Friday's semi-finals assures India another medal in the ongoing Games - the best Olympic haul for the country so far.
While shooter Abhinav Bindra bagged a gold earlier in the Beijing games, grappler Sushil Kumar clinched a bronze on Wednesday.
Celebrations broke out simultaneously in several towns and cities across Haryana and other parts of the country following Vijender's 9-4 victory over his opponent.
The disappointment on the faces of people from this town, which was writ large on their faces after the second boxer from here, Jitender Kumar, lost just a couple of hours before Vijender's bout, suddenly turned into maddening celebrations.
Full Coverage: Beijing Olympics 2008 | India at the Olympics
Local residents, especially budding boxers and Vijender's friends and relatives, who had gathered here to watch his fight on a single TV set put up at a specially erected tent outside his residence, jumped in joy as his bout ended and he was declared a comfortable winner.
His supporters carried each other on their shoulders and broke into a dance to celebrate his victory.
"We want nothing less than gold from him now. We want him to fight hard and make the country proud," said Satbir, a fellow boxer here.
His victory brought much required solace to this town after two boxers, Akhil Kumar and Jitender Kumar, lost their quarterfinal bouts earlier.
Vijender's relatives kept one of his boxing gloves on top of the television set where people were viewing it.
"We did it (put the boxing glove on the TV) to ensure that he wins his match," said another boxer Dinesh.
There was a near stampede-like situation at the Vijender's residence after his victory in Beijing. Scores of relatives, friends, fellow-boxers and media persons scrambled for space to be part of the victory celebrations.
The boxer's immediate family members had a hard time even in coming out of the house. Every few seconds, deafening roars of celebrations could be heard there.
His sister Sangeeta said the whole family was too excited after his victory.
"We are celebrating his victory but we will only be satisfied if he brings back gold. We want him to win only the gold medal. We wish him all luck," his sister said.
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