Relieved Vijender Singh finally returns to the ring

Yesterday, Vijender Singh put on his boxing gloves for a competitive bout for the first time in months. The highs of his Olympic medal have long since been extinguished by the lows of being part of a drug investigation. The Indian Boxing Federation’s suspension by AIBA, the international amateur boxing association, has meant he has not been able to lose himself in the ring either. It has been the toughest time of his career. [caption id=“attachment_1066975” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  File photo of Vijender Singh training. PTI[/caption] The Indian Express was on hand to witness Vijender’s return for the selection trials ahead of the World Boxing Championships. India’s boxers have been allowed to compete but will not be representing India, which remains suspended. AIBA has also threatened a complete ban if the Indian Boxing Federation does not hold fresh elections by November. But that is a problem for another time. The paper reports that Vijender snuck into the boxing hall in Patiala through a side entrance and was content to sit in a corner while the other boxers warmed up. He seemed to want no part of the spotlight, even refusing fans who wanted a photograph with him. In the ring he was tentative at first against 20-year-old Jaideep Singh, who won the silver medal at the national championships. Soon enough though, he hit his stride and there was no question who was the master and who was the pupil in the ring.

Against an able opponent, [Vijender] moved beautifully, struck accurately and stitched together combinations. At the end of a round while his opponent slumped back to his seat, Vijender stood in his corner, chirping to his cornerman and at Dinesh on the side.

Jaideep tried to come back with a few solid body shots in the last round but Vijender must clearly have won on all the judges’ scorecards. For the first time in the day, the audience in the hall clapped.

After the bout, the paper reports that Vijender was clearly more at ease, and happy to engage fans and his fellow boxers. It seems being back in the ring was just what he needed. You can read the full Indian Express story here.