Paris Olympics: Who Was the First Indian Olympic Medallist in Boxing? Know All About Him

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In myKhel's latest series of articles in build-up to the Paris Olympics 2024, we look back at India's first Olympic medallist in boxing. Despite sending talented boxers to the Olympics for years, India never achieved medal success in the 20th century.

Pugilists like Akhil Kumar, Jitender Kumar, and Dingko Singh all competed, but fell short of the podium. A turning point came in 2008. Vijender Singh became the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal, a bronze in the middleweight (75kg) category at the Beijing Olympics.

This victory was a major breakthrough, inspiring a new wave of Indian boxers to dream of Olympic glory.

Vijender Singh hails from a Jat family in Kaluwas village, Haryana, India. Born in 1985, he grew up near Bhiwani. His upbringing was modest - his father, a bus driver, put in extra hours to support Vijender's and his brother Manoj's education.

Despite these humble beginnings, Vijender went on to complete his bachelor's degree from Vaish College, Bhiwani.

The Bhiwani Boxing Club became Vijender's training ground, where his talent was recognized by former national-level boxer Jagdish Singh. Early success came swiftly, with a state-level competition win followed by a silver medal in his first sub-junior nationals in 1997.

The year 2000 marked a milestone as he clinched his first gold medal at the Nationals. By 2003, he was crowned the all-India youth boxing champion.

A turning point arrived at the 2003 Afro-Asian Games. Despite being a junior boxer, Vijender participated in the selection trials and impressed, going on to win a silver medal. This achievement was a stepping stone for bigger challenges.

The 2004 Athens Olympics saw him compete in the welterweight division, but his journey ended with a loss to Mustafa Karagollu of Turkey. Determined to learn from this setback, Vijender embarked on a period of focused training.

A String of Victories and a Historic Olympic Feat

The years leading up to the 2008 Beijing Olympics were marked by a series of triumphs. He secured medals at the 2006 Asian Games, Commonwealth Games, and Asian Championships, each victory fueling his ambition for Olympic glory.

At the Beijing Games, Vijender, competing in the middleweight category, faced challenges from Badou Jack (Gambia) and Angkhan Chomphuphuang (Thailand) in the first two rounds. The fight against the Thai boxer left him in significant pain, but a three-day break allowed him to recover in time for the quarter-final against Ecuador's Carlos Gongora.

Vijender's exceptional footwork and sharp jabs proved decisive against the Ecuadorian, securing a 9-4 victory and etching his name in history as the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal. Though a loss to Cuba's Emilio Correa in the semi-final meant he couldn't advance further, his quarter-final win was a monumental feat for Indian boxing.

A Legacy of Recognition and Continued Success

Vijender's achievements extend beyond the 2008 Olympics. He went on to win bronze medals at the 2009 World Championships and the 2010 Commonwealth Games, followed by a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games, solidifying his place as a boxing powerhouse.

In a crowning moment of recognition, Vijender, along with fellow boxers Sushil Kumar and Mary Kom, was honoured with the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award in July 2009 - India's highest sporting honour.

This prestigious award underlined the significant impact Vijender had made on Indian boxing. Recognition for his dedication also came in the form of the prestigious Arjuna Award in 2006 and the Padma Shri in 2010.

Post boxing, Vijender has also tried his hand at politics. On the eve of the 2019 Indian general election, he joined the Indian National Congress and ran for the South Delhi constituency, though he did not win. In April 2024, just before the 2024 Indian general election, he switched allegiances and joined the Bharatiya Janata Party at their headquarters in New Delhi.