JOIN US Vijender Singh was a teenager when he made it to the 2004 Athens Games.
Eight years later, the Bhiwani pugilist is all set to participate in his third Olympics and he hoped to be remembered as one who won medals for his country.
At London, Vijender will become the first Indian boxer to participate in three Olympics. The boxer was, however, measured in gauging his achievement.
“It obviously feels good, but I just don’t want to be tagged as one who participated three Olympics, but as one who got medals in two,” said Vijender, who won the bronze medal in 2008 Beijing Games.
“ It (Olympic bronze) was a big change, for me, the sport and the country's outlook towards the sport. It was the first medal in boxing and we really needed something of that sort for the sport. Even my fellow boxers’ approach changed, everyone started to believe and I think belief makes all the difference. The journey is still going on and with God’s grace will have a few more medals to show for,” Vijender said.
He was satisfied with his preparations for the London Olympics and was working on his speed and endurance. “We are training hard for the London Games focusing on various aspects of the game, which include endurance and speed training; it involves a lot of running and sprinting among other things.
“Plus, we do weight training, shadow boxing and sparring as well. Asked whether he needed to change his game following the introduction of the new scoring system, Vijender said: “The scoring system might have changed but boxing has not. Whether one is aggressive or sticks to counter attacks, my aim is to score in any way possible. I am looking gain points be it through hooks, body blows, shoulder attacks or punches to the face. My game is more or less still the same.”