Dispatches from the world of Indian boxing tell of a land without sleep. Once again Jitender Kumar had a sleepless night before his quarter-final bout. For company and reassurance he kept up Akhil Kumar, who replaced coach BI Fernandes at the ring as the second official allowed. He lost.

Vijender Kumar won his middleweight (75 kg) bout to get India its first Olympics boxing medal, a medal whose colour will be determined in coming days. And what does he tell you when he dances out victorious from the ring? “I didn’t sleep all night.” And as you worry about the sleep deficit accruing to this 6 ft Bhiwani boy, he gives you a high five and promises, “Tonight I will sleep properly.”

As he should. On Friday he takes on Cuba’s Bayeaux Correa, who has found high rankings at the world and pan-American championships. Vijender, who with a curiously humble bravado, had said the other day he does not lose to the same boxer twice, has not played Correa. So: “I will watch his videos.”

Akhil had said before the match that it is a joy to find all and sundry criticising their strategies, because it reflects a new-found popularity for Indian boxing. Strategies apart, we are finding out that our boxers cannot stand still after a bout. As Vijender hops from foot to foot, the enthusiasm revives him. “I am going to enjoy my next bout,” he says. “It’ll be fun.” So, what’s the plan? “To win, to win, to win.”

... contd.