Vijender Fails To Go Beyond Bronze

Insync

-Staff

By Staff

Saturday, August 23, 2008, 7:14

Beijing : A brave Vijender Kumar put a spirited fight but failed to win his semifinal bout, going down 5-8 to Emillio Correa Bayeaux of Cuba in the middleweight (75 kg) category at the Olympic boxing competition here today.

Vijender will now to be content with the bronze medal which he ensured after winning his quarterfinal bout over Carlos Gongora of Ecuador.

The Cuban boxer, who displayed superb technique and reflexes, took an early lead, opening up a two point lead in the first round.

Vijender notched up three points in the next round to close the gap. But his chances were dealt a severe blow in the crucial third round which the Cuban took three points without reply to take the score to 7-4 in his favour.

Vijender, however, refused to give up the fight and came out all guns blazing in the fourth and final round. The strapping Jat from Haryana went all out as his opponent went on the defensive, looking to protect his lead.

Indian hopes were rekindled for a fleeting second towards the end when the Cuban was fined two points for time wasting but by then, it was a case of too little too late for Vijender.