Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh on Saturday expressed confidence that Indian boxers would be able to put up a good performance in the London Games.
Vijender was the first ever Indian pugilist to win an Olympic medal in 2008. Four years later, he is encouraged by the overall improvement in the standard of boxing in the country.
“Last time, five boxers qualified and we won one medal. This time, seven have qualified, so the confidence level is up. We should win one or two medals,” said Vijender, at a felicitation function organised by team sponsor Monnet in the honour of the Indian boxers.
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Vijender (75kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg) and Sumit Sangwan (81kg), who arrived here on Saturday after sealing their Olympics berths in the qualifying event in Astana (Kazakhstan), were optimistic about the Indians' chances in the Games.
“The desire to win Olympic medals is very important. If you are satisfied only with qualification, then you cannot achieve greater glory,” said Vijender.
The ace pugilist raved about teenage boxers Thapa and Sangwan.
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“Their performance in the qualifiers was amazing. If they repeat this in the Olympics, they will get medals,” said Vijender. Monnet gave away cash awards of Rs. 2 lakh each to Thapa and Sangwan for winning gold medals and Rs. 1 lakh to Vijender for claiming a bronze in Astana.
Four boxers — L. Devendro Singh (49kg), Jai Bhagwan (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg) and Vikas Krishan (69kg) — had qualified for the Olympics in October last.