Vijender puts India on top of the world

Boxer Vijender Singh bagged the number one slot in the 75 kg middle weight category
Sandeep Kumar Delhi Hardnews

Ace boxer Vijender Singh took Indian boxing to a new height by becoming world's top ranking boxer in the 75 kg middle weight category.

The 23-year-old boxer from Haryana had earlier won the first Olympic bronze medal in boxing at Beijing. Later, he won the maiden World Championship medal in Milan earlier this month raising his individual points tally to bag the number one spot.

According to the newly updated rankings by the International Boxing Association (AIBA), Vijender was declared number one boxer in the middle weight category. He topped the chart with a clear difference from his rivals. Current world champion, Abbos Atoev of Uzbekistan, finished third with 2,100 points. The second place was occupied by Olympic medalist, Emilio Correa Bayeux of Cuba.

"I am obviously elated at being ranked the highest in the world. It's a fantastic feeling and would motivate me to do better in future events," said Vijender who lost his semi-final encounter to Abbos Atoev at the World Championship in Milan last month.

In other categories, other Indians had mixed fortunes. Thokchom Nanao Singh, former world youth champion, slipped three places to eight in the 48 kg category while Akhil Kumar slipped to the 10th place in the feather weight 57 kg section. In the light weight 81kg category, World Championship quarter finalist, Dinesh Kumar, held on to his sixth spot with 1,550 points.

World Championship quarter finalist, Dinesh Kumar, held on to his sixth spot with 1,550 points in the light weight (81 kg) category.