Indian boxing's trailblazer Vijender Singh outgrows Olympic identity, says 'life is a new lesson everyday'

New Delhi: His was the Olympic medal that set the ball rolling for Indian boxing's ascension to world-beating standards.

Vijender Singh, however, has moved on from that life-changing bronze 13 summers ago in Beijing because "that's what mature people do".

"That's growth, when you shed one identity and embrace new things, understand things which didn't matter at some point. It comes with time and responsibility," the middleweight boxer told PTI in an exclusive chat.

"Life is a new lesson everyday."

But with one month to go for the Tokyo Olympics and as the world celebrates Olympic Day, one can't help take a trip down memory lane to relive one of the most iconic moments in Indian sports — the country's first Olympic medal in boxing.

"Those were golden days, we were carefree, without responsibilities. Our training, diet and a few friends were all that mattered," the 35-year-old, who is a three-time Olympian, said as he recalled the build-up to the Games in Beijing.

He made it to the big event in what was the last qualifying event after two failed attempts.

In Beijing, he was the lone boxing medal hope left when the more experienced Akhil Kumar lost in the quarterfinals, a shocker of a result considering that he had beaten the world champion — Sergey Vodopyanov — in the previous round.

Shouldering unprecedented expectations, Vijender kept his calm to get the better of Ecuador's Carlos Gongora in his quarter-final bout and history was created.

It meant the world to him at that time but over a decade later, he wouldn't even write Olympian in his social media bios, something that most other current or former athletes do.

"I had a good Olympics, I gave my best in Beijing, fortunately it translated into a bronze medal. Along the way, it helped Indian boxing, good for everyone I say.

"But I have tried several things after that. I got married, had children, turned professional, got into politics too. So, I don't see the point of looking back," he explained.

"Ek purani kahawat hai hamare yahan, agar girna bhi ho to aage ko giro, peeche ko nahin. Peeche jaake ya peeche gir ke kya fayda (There is an old saying our side. Even if you fall, fall forward, not backwards)," he laughed as he tried to put things in perspective.

On to looking ahead then, how does he view the medal chances of the unprecedented nine Indian boxers who have qualified for the Games this time?

"Really strong. I don't follow amateur boxing very closely because I am occupied elsewhere too but from whatever I have seen, heard and read, they look good to win more than one medal," Vijender said.

"Amit (Panghal) is in tremendous form, Vikas (Krishan) looks strong and obviously you have Mary Kom. It's a very accomplished line-up and I hope to catch some action if not follow their progress completely in Tokyo.

"Also among the women, Simranjit Kaur is there. It is good to see so many young faces going to their maiden Olympics. I am sure it would be a life-changing experience for them," added the star, who contested and lost the 2019 Lok Sabha elections from South Delhi on a Congress ticket.

That heartbreak notwithstanding, Vijender said he won't give up on politics.

"It's not about winning or losing elections, it's about convictions. I have mine, many others have theirs and it is never a bad thing to stick to those convictions. So, I would be around and do my best," he said.

With COVID-19 casting a shadow on almost everything that was once normal in the world, Vijender's professional career is also on hold for now although he does hope to fight at least once later this year.

"The situation is such that I don't feel comfortable travelling right now. I am happy to be daddy to my sons, it is priceless time," he said.

But once the world returns to normalcy, Vijender has a dream that he hopes to accomplish some day.

"I want to climb Mount Everest some day. It's a dream and I haven''t done anything to get started on it just yet but I hope some day I can. That would be some achievemnt, isn't it?" he signed off.