20-Aug-2008 138
India``s campaign in Beijing Olympics today received a dramatic boost with wrestler Sushil Kumar clinching a bronze medal and boxer Vijender Kumar assuring himself of at least a bronze to give the country a record three medals for the first time ever.
After Abhinav Bindra``s gold-winning feat during the first week of the Games, 25-year-old Sushil Kumar shot into fame by winning a bronze medal, while Vijender has put himself on course for a silver or gold medal on a historic day for Indian sports. Vijender beat Ecuador``s Carlos Gongora in the quarterfinals of the 75 kg category with a 9-4 verdict.
India had won two Olympic medals in the 1952 Helsinki Games when the hockey team had won the gold medal and wrestler Khashaba Dadasaheb Jadhav had won a bronze medal, a record which had stood for 56 long years.
While Sushil and Vijender did the country proud, another medal contender Jitender Kumar lost his quarter-final bout in 51 kg category. Jitender, who entered the ring with 10 stitches on his chin necessitated by a cut he had received in his previous match, lost to Russian rival Georgy Balakshin 15-11.
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