‘Paes, Pillay my heroes’
Asian Games gold medallist Vijender Singh expressed his readiness to take on any challenge in the ring, and win five rounds for the gold, or at least three for a bronze, as the clock ticked away for the inauguration of the Olympics.
In an interaction with the press attaché of the Indian Olympic Association (IOA) in London, boxer Vijender said that he was pleased to be competing in his third Olympics, on the heels of his hero Leander Paes who is all set to fight for a second medal in his sixth Olympics.
“Dhanraj Pillay was another big star in those days. I used to read a lot about him and slowly Paes and Pillay became my heroes,” Vijender said.
Stating that getting used to a new weight category was never an issue for him, the Beijing Games bronze medallist said that he had moved from 42 kg when he had started his international career to the present 75 kg category, and may soon shift to the 81 kg section. He has won a medal in the World Championship as well to emphasise his mastery in the ring.
Asserting that it was not hype that there was so much positive projection of the Indian boxers in the media, Vijender said the current crop had the confidence to fight any opponent as an equal rather than being overawed by his achievements as was the case in the earlier days.
Vijender said that he had led a very disciplined and simple life, though there was a feeling that he had become more a hero following the Olympic medal.
“The last 12 years have just flown. God has been kind to me,” said Vijender, eager to build on his strong career.
“Not in my wildest dreams did I think of playing in three Olympics. Still, ‘yeh dil mange more’,” he added.