London Olympics: Vijender beats Gausha 16-15 in a thrilling contest, admits he was very excited but had the measure of his opponent

India’s star boxer Vijender Singh moved into the quarterfinals of the men’s middle weight (75 kg) category of the Olympic Games with a nail-biting one-point victory over his American opponent at the ExCel Arena in London on Thursday, says a report in The Hindu, adding that the 26-year-old Vijender, the bronze medallist of the Beijing Olympic Games, scraped past Terrell Gausha with a 16-15 verdict in the thrilling contest of skill and strategy.

Spurred on by a vociferous crowd which kept chanting “India, India”, Vijender took a slender one point lead after the first round which ultimately was the decisive factor for the Indian to pip his American rival.

According to a report in The DNA, Vijender, 26, a veteran of three Olympic campaigns across categories, boxed like the champ he is despite the fast-armed American coming out with a flurry of punches, especially in the first round.

“The Olympic and World bronze medallist Vijender had the measure of Gausha in the first round, though the American came out as the more aggressive puncher. The wily Indian weathered the initial onslaught before landing a few punches that mattered to take the first round 4-3. The American corner switched tactics – Gausha was the busy boxer in round 1, in the second, he ceded space and movement to Vijender and held the centre of the ring. Vijender was up to the task and landed a few good punches while taking a few himself and the second round ended 5-5,” says the report, adding that the American knew he had to give his all in the last round and did exactly that.

“But Vijender was up to the task and summoned all his experience to hold off his younger rookie opponent. Gausha’s inexperience showed as he allowed Vijender to claw back towards the end of the final round, which was adjudged 7-7, indicating a lot more activity compared to the previous two rounds,” says the report.

Meanwhile according to a report in The Times Of India, Vijender admitted after Thursday's bout it had been a job to give himself a chance of another podium place.

"The coaches were saying calm down, calm down otherwise you will blow the fight.  I admit I was very excited but I felt I had the measure of him and just needed to be prudent in the final round to ensure I got through. "Everyone is tuning in to their TV's in India and watching me. It is a great honour but also puts on me a huge duty to reward their faith that they placed in me," he said.