Indian boxer Vijender Kumar settled for a bronze medal at the Beijing Olympics after being out-punched by Cuban Emilio Correa Bayeaux in the semifinals of the 75kg category here today.
The 22-year-old was simply out-thought by his Cuban rival who negated the height and reach advantage of Vijender by fighting from a long range to score an 8-5 win.
But even in defeat, Vijender has made history, becoming the only Indian boxer to clinch an Olympic medal.
Vijender, a Doha Asiad bronze medallist, struggled to connect his punches and was trailing from the very start.
In fact he failed to score a single point in the opening round, 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 deficit to 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 more importantly precise.
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The Cuban's lightening fast reflexes thwarted Vijender's attacks and the Indian once again failed to score in the third round.
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 scoreline 8-5.