Vijender Singh predicts medals from India's women boxers at Paris Olympics

NEW DELHI: India's boxing medal hopes at the Paris 2024 Olympics will hinge on the performance of its women pugilists, says Vijender Singh, the country's only Olympic medal-winning male boxer. Singh, who secured a bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics, believes the Nikhat Zareen-led women's squad is poised to win at least two medals.
The Indian women's boxing squad includes Nikhat Zareen in the 50kg category, Preeti Pawar in the 54kg, Jaismine Lamboria in the 57kg, and Tokyo bronze medalist Lovlina Borgohain in the 75kg category.On the men's side, representation will come from Amit Panghal in the 51kg class and debutant Nishant Dev in the 71kg category.
In an interview with PTI editors, 38-year-old Vijender Singh conveyed his optimism about the women's team. "I haven't really followed the fortunes of the male boxers, but whatever I have read about women boxers has been encouraging. The girls will do well; I hope we get one or two medals," he remarked. "It might be that they (the women boxers) will change the colour of the medals," he added.

India's history in Olympic boxing includes only three bronze medals, claimed by Vijender Singh (Beijing 2008), MC Mary Kom (London 2012), and Lovlina Borgohain (Tokyo 2021). No Indian boxer has reached the final to compete for a gold medal. However, the current group of women boxers has shown significant promise. Zareen and Borgohain became world champions in 2023, while Pawar and Lamboria earned bronze medals at the Asian and Commonwealth Games.
In contrast, the male boxers have experienced mixed outcomes. Nishant Dev stands out, having won a bronze medal at the World Championship last year and qualifying for the Paris Games. "There are fewer male boxers this time. Earlier we used to have five to six, but this time only two are going," Vijender noted. The record number of Indian male boxers to qualify for the Olympics was seven in 2012, with five making it to the 2008 Games after an impressive qualifying campaign.
Vijender also addressed the psychological challenges of competing at the Olympics. "There is a battle you fight outside, and then there is a battle you fight with yourself. That battle involves training your mind to believe that you are the best, become fearless," he explained. "Boxing is a lonely sport; there is nobody you can turn to and say that 'I am scared' when you are walking out to fight. So, you have to tell yourself to be confident, condition yourself. Everyone feels scared, but you have to tell yourself that you are the best."
Beyond his achievements in the ring, Vijender has ventured into acting, reality TV, and politics. He expressed willingness to engage in sports administration and mentioned he would consider running for the president of the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) if the opportunity presented itself.
"If I get an opportunity to become the president of the Boxing Federation of India, I will take it. I want to fight, I want our Indian boxers to do well, do better," he stated.
Vijender believes he can offer valuable insights to the younger generation of athletes. "I can share the experience of my first Olympics with those who are competing in their maiden Games. I can tell them 'yes, I also faced the same things' and advise them on things to do and not to do," he said. "When I get the time to fight for the BFI president's post, I will love to do that. If someone wants my help, I am there too."