India's star boxer Vijender Singh, who scored the nation's first Olympic medal in boxing four years ago, was knocked out of London Olympics in a tight quarterfinal match on Monday night to the dismay of his fans back home.
The 2008 Beijing Olympic bronze medalist, who defeated top boxers from the United States and Kazakhstan on his way to the quarter final, lost to Abbos Atoev of Uzbekistan 13-17 in a nail-biting match in the men's 75 kg category.
Vijender had earlier defeated Abbos 7-0 at the 2010 Asian Games in China to clinch gold, but it was not meant to be so on Monday night as the latter came out stronger.
The first round was even with 3-3 score but Vijender conceded 7-5, 7-5 in the next two rounds. He did give a good show, landing some lethal left hooks but Abbos came up with counter punches. A good left and right hook combination of his opponent did the trick.
The Indian Olympic contingent consisted of eight boxers but has been reduced to two now following Vijender ousting from the games.
Five-time world champion MC Mary Kom from Manipur is still in the race for gold medal in the women's boxing 51 kg category at the London Olympics. She has already assured India at least a bronze medal by defeating Maroua Rahali of Tunisia 15-6 on Monday evening. She will now meet world No.2 Nicola Adams of England in the semi final on Wednesday.
The other Indian boxer still contending for the medal is Devendro Singh from Manipur who participates in the men's light-flyweight 49-kg category. He knocked out Bayron Figueroa Molina of Honduras in his opening bout and defeated 2008 Beijing Games silver medallist Serdamba Purevdorj of Mongolia in the pre-quarter finals. He will now meet Paddy Barnes of Ireland in the quarter final on Wednesday.
