New Delhi:Indian boxing's jinx-breaker
Vijender Singh achieved yet another historic feat as he
ensured the country's first medal in the World Championships
by advancing to the middle-weight semifinals in Milan, Italy.
The world number two and top seed Vijender out-punched
Ukrainian Sergiy Derevyanchenko 12-4 late last night to become
the first Indian to make the last-four stage of the
prestigious event.
"I am on cloud nine...it's a feeling that cannot be
described in words. I have broken another jinx for India and I
am very happy," the 23-year-old who won India's maiden Olympic
medal -- a bronze -- in Beijing last year, told from
Milan.
Vijender is now up against former light heavy weight
world champion Abbos Atoev, who returned to middle weight this
year, but the Indian can draw confidence from the fact that he
beat the Uzbek as recently as the Asian Championships in June
in China.
"I always believe that one should never get intimidated
by the opponent, it hampers the performance. So, I am not even
thinking about his past record. After all, what matters is how
I perform in those 11 minutes when we are competing," he said.
Talking about his bout, the Khel Ratna awardee said he
measured his opponent in the opening round which ended 1-1
before going for all-out attack in the next two rounds.
Vijender, a strapping six footer, also had the height
advantage against his much shorter rival. The Indian began to
take control of the proceedings with his trademark left
straights and uppercuts to end the second round 5-3.
He went on the offensive in the final round and didn't
let his opponent breach his defence even once to round off the
last three minutes 6-0.
"I had never even seen this guy before. I was just told
that he is a good boxer so I observed him in the first round.
Once I got a hang of his technique, I just fought from long
range and made good use of my height," Vijender said.
National coach Gurbax Singh Sandhu lavished praise on the
Haryana boxer.
"The composure with which he competes is remarkable. He
hardly loses his cool and even in moments that can make one
nervous, he seems in control," he said.
Bureau Report
First Published: Thursday, September 10, 2009, 11:15