Vijender became Indian boxing’s pin-up boy. India recognised a hero probably as much as it recognises a Dhoni, a Bhutia or a Paes. From the obscure alleys of Bhiwani to the winners’ podium of an Olympic Games, Vijender took Indian boxing to new heights.
Almost everything in Indian boxing centered on the handsome Vijender. He rapidly became a face on TV shows, even sharing dancing steps with the dusky Shilpa Shetty on popular chat shows or singing for the sexy Mallika Sherawat! Indian boxing has found its Rocky Balboa. Fortunately, fame and money did not knock out Vijender’s focus as boxing remained top priority.
Vijender was adequately tested at the world boxing championships in Milan in September. For the third time in a row, Vijender had to settle for bronze in a major competition. After the bronze in Beijing Olympics, he was third best at the Asian championship in 2009. Nevertheless, India won their first-ever medal at the world meet and that was indeed great news.
. The Milan bronze catapulted Vijender to world No. 1 in the rankings. September-end, the international amateur federation (AIBA) officially declared Vijender numero uno in his weight category. The 23-year-old garnered 2700 points as against Olympic silver medalist Bayeaux (2500) and Uzbek Abbos Atoev (2100). Vijender had lost to Atoev in the semis at Milan. It was a historic day yet again in Indian boxing.
Vijender’s success in Beijing was carried forward by Manipur lad Thokchom Nanao Singh, who won the world youth gold in the 48 kg section in Guadalajara,Air Max 87, Mexico, in November 2008. Three Indians made the Asian boxing finals in Zhuhai, China in June as Dinesh Kumar (81kg) scored a sensational knockout win over Taipei’s Hsiao Huang-Yi. Jai Bhagwan (60kg) was no less impressive in his 12-3 victory over local favourite Hu Quinxun. The trio’s triumph meant India were assured of at least five medals after Nanao (48kg) and Paramjit Samota (+91kg) also made the semi-finals.
The year ended on a golden note. Matching Bhiwani’s contribution to Indian boxing,Nike Dunk Low CL, Suranjoy Singh once again highlighted that Manipur remained India’s greatest source of talented pugilists. Suranjoy became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the President’s Cup in Azerbaijan. He was also the first Indian to be declared best boxer in any senior tournament at the world level.
In a fantastic display of raw power and controlled aggression, Suranjoy simply decimated his French opponent Nordine Oubaali who was a bronze medalist at the 2007 World Championships as well as a participant at the 2008 Beijing Olympics. The victory fetched Suranjoy $3,Air Max 90,000 in prize money at the prestigious season-ending event in Azerbaijan, where confederations from Asia, America, Africa, Europe and Oceania were pitted against each other. Twenty-two-year-old Suranjoy was thrilled beyond words as his hand was raised as the winner of the final bout against Oubaali.