The 2008 Beijing Olympic Games will be remembered as ‘the first’ for India for a number of things. One of it will be Haryana-lad Vijender Kumar securing the very first Boxing medal for the country. On Wednesday, August 20, Vijender Kumar did his country proud by ousting Ecuador's Carlos Goncora in the boxing quarter-finals at Beijing.

Kumar showcased a remarkable run by winning a 9-4 points decision to reach the last four and make sure of at least a bronze. It was during the 1948 Olympic Games at London when India first sent a seven member team of boxers. India failed to reach the medal round in all the 12 Olympic Games in which it participated.

On Wednesday, August 20, 2008, therefore, the handful of Indian contingent vigorously cheered on boxer Vijender Kumar at the Worker’s Gymnasium. The 23-year-old took a 2-0 lead in the first round and firmly defended it in the three close rounds that followed. ‘It was a very tough bout and I want to do better next time,’ remarked Kumar later. The Indian boxer will be facing Cuba's Emilio Correa in the semi-final round.