Bronze medal winners to aim for gold in London Olympics

Wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxer Vijender Singh, who had won bronze medals in their respective categories, met President Pratibha Patil here today.

New Delhi, Aug 26 : Wrestler Sushil Kumar and boxer Vijender Singh, who had won bronze medals in their respective categories, met President Pratibha Patil here today.

Patil congratulated the duo for bringing distinguished laurels to the country and also to the individual sports.

After the meeting the duo said that they are aiming to win gold in London Olympics also.

Speaking to media person Sushil said his preparations will continue and will go on to win laurels in next Olympics to be held in London in 2012.

"I will do preparations for the 2010 commonwealth games, Asian games and London Olympics," he added.

Vijender Kumar also echoed the same enthusiasm as Sushil to win gold medal in London Olympics.

"I will not stop here and will go on to win gold in London Olympics," he added.

Sushil Kumar won the medal in the men's 66 kg freestyle category, defeating Leonid Speiridonov of Kazakhistan. He became the second Indian wrestler after 56 years to bag a bronze medal. Earlier, Khashaba Jadhav of Karad, Maharashtra, had won an individual bronze in the Helsinki Olympics in 1952.

Vijender Kumar became the first-ever Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal. His performance also boosted India's medal tally in Beijing Olympics to three, after shooter Abhinav Bindra won gold in 10m air rifle event and wrestler Sushil Kumar bagged bronze.

India won three medals at the Beijing Olympics, their best ever performance at the Summer Games. Earlier, in 1928, India had only won four individual medals, none of them gold, since sending their first team to the Summer Games.

The men's hockey team has won the Olympic tournament eight times. Last time it won gold was in 1980.

ANI