'Athletes Can Tag PMO To Raise Issues, We Used To Train In 50 Degrees': Vijender Singh Explains How Indian Boxing Has Changed
Beijing Olympics bronze medallist boxer Vijender Singh has said that over the last 17-18 years, a lot has changed in Indian boxing and cited access to internet as a major tool that has helped athletes raise concerns, if any, with vastly improved facilities nowadays compared to his time.
Vijender had created history in 2008 when he became the first Indian boxer to win a medal at the Olympics. His feat was matched by Mary Kom at the 2012 London Olympics and by Lovlina Borgohain in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
'Nowadays, athletes have internet access. Back then, the internet was just starting in India. Now, if there is any issue, the athletes can tag PMO and those can be solved, but don't ask about our times. We didn't even have AC in the training halls. Before winning the Olympic medal, we used to train in 50 degrees," Vijender said while speaking to News18 Sports on the sidelines of a felicitation event organised by the Boxing Federation of India for athletes who won medals at the Brazil and Astana World Cups.
Vijender though said he was disappointed at the boxers not receiving proper welcome at the airport upon their return from the global tournaments.
Since Vijender, no Indian male boxer has been able to win an Olympic medal. Indian male pugilists have especially disappointed at the Summer Games, with most of their campaigns finishing in the Round of 16.
Asked what his mantra was to win an Olympic medal, the 39-year-old grinned and said that he wanted a promotion at his job as a police officer.
'I was a police inspector. As soon as I won the Olympic medal, they made me DSP. I knew I would get an AC room once I came back. That's what I thought in my mind," Vijender said.
'If you dream, if you think of it, you can do it. sake (God gave you brain to think). So that you can visualise your dream," he added.
When asked about his expectations from the LA 2028 Olympics, Vijender said, 'Keep your hopes high. Ummeed pe duniya kaayam hai (The world rests on hope)."
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