Irresistible Vijender

Published : Dec 09, 2010 00:00 IST

PTI
PTI
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PTI

Indian boxing's poster boy Vijender Singh pummelled two-time world champion Abbos Atoev into submission with a commanding 7-0 triumph in 75kg to give the country's campaign in the Asian Games a golden finish.

The dashing Beijing Olympic Games bronze-medal winner Vijender destroyed the Ubzek boxer and later said his next aim is to win gold in the 2012 Olympic Games in London.

But two other Indian boxers — Santosh Kumar in the 64 kg category and Manpreet Singh in the 91 kg category — lost in the finals and settled for silver medals.

Santosh was mercilessly thrashed by Kazhakstan's Daniyar Yeleussinov 0-16 while Manpreet Singh lost tamely to Mohammed Ghossoun of Syria 1-8.

India finished its boxing campaign with its best-ever haul of nine medals, including two in the women's competition that made its debut here.

After his comprehensive victory over his Uzbek opponent, the 25-year-old Bhiwani boxer, Vijender, said he thoroughly enjoyed the thrashing of one of the top fighters in amateur boxing and that his next goal was the Olympic gold.

“My next goal is to win the Olympic gold in 2012. I felt hungry for the title and enjoyed beating the world champion,” said Vijender who had ended up with a disappointing bronze medal in last month's Commonwealth Games in Delhi.

He also avenged his defeat to the same Uzbek rival at the last year's World Championship in Italy in which he won a bronze.

He was cheered all the way during his bout at the Foshan Stadium by a small bunch of Indian supporters that included India's ambassador to China S. Jaishankar.

After his triumph, Vijender knelt down in the middle of the ring with his arms raised in victory.

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