Vijender Singh

Here’s a profile of Vijender Singh — Indian boxer, athlete, and public figure — along with some of his more memorable quotes.

Vijender Singh – Life, Career, and Influence

Born: October 29, 1985
Nationality: Indian

Early Life & Background

Vijender Singh Beniwal was born in Kaluwas village, Bhiwani district, Haryana, India.

He did his schooling locally and earned a bachelor's degree from Vaish College in Bhiwani.

Vijender began training at the Bhiwani Boxing Club, under coach Jagdish Singh and later with coach Gurbaksh Singh Sandhu, where his talent was nurtured.

Amateur Career & Achievements

• In 2008, Vijender won bronze at the Beijing Olympics, becoming the first Indian boxer to secure an Olympic medal.

• He also earned a bronze at the 2009 World Championships and a bronze at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in middleweight division.

• He has medaled in various other international competitions (Asian Games, Commonwealth Games) and was a top-ranked middleweight amateur boxer before turning pro.

In 2015, he turned professional (signing with Queensberry Promotions) which precluded him from competing at the 2016 Olympics.

Public Roles, Media & Politics

Outside the ring, Vijender has ventured into modeling, media, and film appearances, often to promote boxing and increase its visibility in India.

He also entered politics: in 2019, he contested in the Lok Sabha elections (South Delhi) under the Indian National Congress, though unsuccessfully.

Style & Character

Vijender is known for his resilience, discipline, and ambition. He frequently speaks about dealing with pressure, maintaining mental strength, and balancing the expectations of representing a country in sport.

He also emphasizes faith and perspective — seeing challenges as part of a larger plan, cultivating mental calm (e.g. via yoga, meditation) to support his performance.

He has often commented on how Indian sports culture (particularly media and public attention) overly privileges cricket, and he has called for more recognition for other sports like boxing.

Selected Quotes

Here are several quotations attributed to Vijender Singh. (Translations and paraphrases may vary.)

• “Talking about pressure, well that is something you have to learn to deal with in sports.”

• “I do a lot of yoga and meditation. It calms my nerves and helps me channelise my energy.”

• “When you’re representing a sport, people are more likely to judge and comment … sport permits every viewer to participate to a certain level.”

• “I have prepared myself to be at my peak in London. … A lapse of concentration, even for a second, will let you down.”

• “I always try to see the good in everything … Even when I lost in the London Olympics quarterfinals, I said to myself, ‘Don’t lose heart, God has his own plans.’”

• “I have never thought of a full-fledged career in Bollywood because boxing has never left my mind. But you never know.”

Lessons & Takeaways

1. Pioneering spirit.
   By being India's first Olympic boxing medalist, Vijender broke a barrier and created a role model for future boxers.

2. Mental strength matters.
   He emphasizes that beyond physical training, dealing with pressure, focus, and emotional balance are vital in sport.

3. Adapt and diversify.
   He expanded his public role via modeling, media, and politics, as part of amplifying his platform and influence.

4. Persistence and humility.
   His journey from a small village to international success involved steady growth, small sacrifices, and staying grounded.

5. Advocacy for lesser-known sports.
   His statements about cricket’s dominance and the need for support to boxing highlight his desire to change the sports culture in India.