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His was the Olympic medal that paved the way in which for India’s ascension to world-beating requirements in boxing. Vijender Singh, nonetheless, has moved on from that life-changing bronze 13 summers in the past in Beijing.
“That is development, once you shed one identification and embrace new issues, perceive issues which did not matter sooner or later. It comes with time and accountability,” the middleweight boxer instructed PTI in an unique chat.
“Life is a brand new lesson every single day,” he says.
With one month to go for the Tokyo Olympics, nonetheless, one can not help make a journey down reminiscence lane to relive some of the iconic moments in Indian sports activities – the nation’s first Olympic medal in boxing.
“These have been golden days, we have been carefree, with out tasks. Our coaching, eating regimen, and some pals have been all that mattered,” the 35-year-old, who’s a three-time Olympian, mentioned as he recalled the build-up to the Video games in Beijing.
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He made it to the massive occasion in what was the final qualifying occasion after two failed makes an attempt. In Beijing, he was the lone boxing medal hope left when the extra skilled Akhil Kumar misplaced within the quarterfinals, a shock contemplating he had crushed the world champion – Sergey Vodopyanov – within the earlier spherical.
Shouldering unprecedented expectations, Vijender stored his calm to get the higher of Ecuador’s Carlos Gongora in his quarterfinal bout, and historical past was made.
It meant the world to him at the moment however over a decade later, in contrast to many others, he would not even write ‘Olympian’ on his social media bios.
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“I had a great Olympics, I gave my finest in Beijing. Fortuitously, it translated right into a bronze medal. Alongside the way in which, it helped Indian boxing, good for everybody I say. However I’ve tried a number of issues after that. I obtained married, had youngsters, turned skilled, obtained into politics, too. So, I do not see the purpose of wanting again,” he defined.
“Ek purani kahawat hai hamare yahan, agar girna bhi ho to aage ko giro, peeche ko nahin. Peeche jaake ya peeche gir ke kya fayda (We’ve an outdated saying. If you happen to fall, fall ahead, not backwards),” he laughed as he tried to place issues in perspective.
Vijender Singh is said the winner of an expert bout in August, 2017, towards Zulpikar Maimaitiali, in Mumbai. Vijender turned skilled in 2015. – AP
How does he view the medal probabilities of the unprecedented 9 Indian boxers who’ve certified for the Video games this time? “Actually robust. I do not comply with newbie boxing very carefully as a result of I’m occupied elsewhere, too, however from no matter I’ve seen, heard, and skim, they give the impression of being good to win multiple medal,” Vijender mentioned.
“Amit (Panghal) is in large type, Vikas (Krishan) seems robust and clearly you have got Mary Kom. It is a very completed line-up and I hope to catch some motion if not comply with their progress utterly in Tokyo. Additionally among the many girls, Simranjit Kaur is there. It’s good to see so many younger faces going to their maiden Olympics. I’m positive it could be a life-changing expertise for them,” added the star, who contested and misplaced the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from South Delhi on a Congress ticket.
That heartbreak however, Vijender mentioned he will not quit on politics. “It isn’t about successful or dropping elections, it is about convictions. I’ve mine, many others have theirs and it’s by no means a nasty factor to stay to these convictions. So, I’d be round and do my finest,” he mentioned.
With COVID-19 casting a shadow on nearly every thing that was as soon as regular on this planet, Vijender’s skilled profession can also be on maintain for now though he does hope to battle no less than as soon as later this 12 months. “The state of affairs is such that I do not really feel snug travelling proper now. I’m completely satisfied to be daddy to my sons, it’s a priceless time,” he mentioned.
However as soon as the world returns to normalcy, Vijender has a dream that he hopes to perform. “I need to climb Mount Everest sometime. It is a dream and I have never carried out something to get began on it simply but however I hope sometime I can. That will be some achievement, is not it?” he signed off.
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