Vijender loses semifinal, settles for bronze in Olympics

for a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics after being out-punched by Cuban Emilio Correa Bayeaux in the semifinalsof the 75kg. category here Friday.

The 22-year-old was simply out-thought by his Cuban rival who negated the height and reach advantage of Vijender byfighting from a long range to score an 8-5 win.

But even in defeat, Vijender has made history, becomingthe only Indian boxer to clinch an Olympic medal.

Vijender, a Doha Asiad bronze medallist, struggled toconnect his punches and was trailing from the very start.

In fact he failed to score a single point in the openinground, which ended 2-0 in the Cuban's favour.

Forced to play the catch-up game, Vijender managed a slight recovery in the second round as he reduced the deficitto just one point ending the second round 3-4 behind.

Bayeaux stuck to his strategy of back-paddling after landing punches, most of which were straight and moreimportantly precise.

The Cuban's lightening fast reflexes thwarted Vijender's attacks and the Indian once again failed to score in the thirdround.

The decider saw a desperate Vijender on the offensive but the Cuban survived the brief assault, although earning a two-point penalty for committing a foul, leaving the scoreline8-5.