Zeenews Bureau
Beijing, Aug 20: Now that he is assured of at least a bronze medal in the 75 kg middleweight discipline at the Beijing Olympics, the Pride of Bhiwani, Vijender Singh admitted that he could hardly sleep on the night prior to his bout. Speaking exclusively to Zee News minutes after knocking out Carlos Gongora of Ecaudor 9-4 in the quarter finals, he said” I could not sleep all night”.
Buoyed by his victory, Vijender has now set his sights on the gold.” I want more….I want the gold now,” he said. The brotherly camaraderie among the Indian boxers has been the salient feature of the Indian contingent. Even in the moment of victory he did not forget his valiant team mates Akhil and Jitender, who fell at the quarter final hurdle. Both of them fought well”, he said. “Jitender had stitches in his feet….but the way he fought was admirable”.
The win that has ensured India of its biggest ever Olympic medal haul just highlights on the enormousity of the achievements. “Olympic is a big event,” he said, expressing hope of a brighter future for boxing in India.
Team India’s boxing coach GS Sandhu was understandably over the moon at his ward’s accomplishment. “He has got great brains”. “He used his head as much as his fists…he is an intelligent boy.”
Refuting queries of any kind of pressure, he said” we take it bout by bout. We will celebrate today. Tomorrow we will chalk out strategy for his semifinal match against Cuba.
Vijender’s native village, Bhiwani in Haryana, rapidly developing the reputation of a boxers’ goldmine, erupted in joy. His brother, drenched in emotions, reveled that he was so tense that could not watch the bout. “I was praying in the next room”, he said. Now that the people of this village have tasted blood, nothing short of a gold medal would satisfy them.” We want gold”, they screamed.
