{image-Vijendar-great picture_24082008.jpg news.oneindia.in}Beijing, Aug 24: Vijender Kumar, India's first ever Olympic boxing medal winner, will be the flag bearer of the Indian contingent at Sunday's closing ceremony of the Beijing Olympics, an IOA official said.

The Bhiwani pugilist won a bronze medal in the 75kg category event, which made him the national hero. Army marksman Rajyavardhan Singh Rathore was India's flag bearer during the spectacular opening ceremony of the Games on August 8."We have decided to give the honour to Vijender," IOA spokesman Sandeep Mehta said. Shooter Abhinav Bindra shot India's first individual gold medal and wrestler Sushil Kumar also won a bronze.

Vijender lost his semi-final bout to Cuban Emilio Correa Bayeaux in the semi-finals of the middleweight (75kg) category to settle for the bronze medal on Friday, Aug 22.

OneIndia News