Boxers Jitender, Vijender carry Indian hopes of a medal

PUNCHING HARD: Vijender Kumar reacts after defeating Angkhan Chomphuphuang of Thailand during a men's middleweight 75 kilogram preliminary boxing match.

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Beijing:Akhil Kumar's defeat in the ring on Monday broke a billion hearts, but the disappointment will be short-lived as Jitender Kumar and Vijender Kumar will be boxing in their quarter-finals on Wednesday, within an hour and a half of each other and their victory will assure India of a medal.

Union Sports Minister MS Gill called in Jitender to wish him luck, motivating the 20-year-old for his important career move.

Despite losing to his quarter-final opponent - Russian Georgy Balakshin - in last year's world championship, he has not lost hope.

Also the loss of his mentor Akhil Kumar has come as a shock and he wants to hit back.

Jitender has an ace up his sleeves. Boxer Akhil Kumar who crashed out of the quarter-finals on Monday will be present during the fight.

Even though Akhil lost his bout, he has always stood behind his fellow boxers, and now the mentor is focusing all his energy on them.

The other bout of the day will see Vijender take on Carlos Gongora of Ecuado.

Vijender is the 2006 Commonwealth Games silver medallist and has had two comfortable wins in Beijing so far. However, with a medal at stake the pressure will be different.