Sports Minister lauds Vijender, says he played well

Vijender Kumar might have lost in his bid to reach the finals of Beijing Olympics but the middle-weight boxer’s historic bronze medal winning effort was applauded on Friday by Sports Minister M S Gill, who praised him for fighting intelligently.

Gill said he was now looking forward to meet Vijender when he returns to the country on August 25. “I am sorry that Vijender has lost but I am happy that he fought intelligently with a cool mind against a very well known opponent. I congratulate on his performance in Beijing and look forward to meet him in Delhi,” Gill told reporters.

Vijender lost 5-8 to Cuba’s Emilio Correa Bayeaux, a two-time Pan-American champion, in the semifinals today. But the effort was enough to make him the first Indian boxer to clinch an Olympic medal. The Bhiwani-lad would return to the country with a bronze medal.