Vijender unfazed by pressure of expectations ahead of Olympics

He rose from anonymity with abronze in Beijing that was as good as gold for Indian boxingbut set for an unprecedented third Olympic appearance,Vijender Singh wants to remain oblivious -- at least to thepressure that comes with being one of the country's biggeststars at the greatest sporting show on earth.

The 25-year-old, incidentally also the nation's firstmedallist at the World Championships (a bronze in the 2009Milan edition), is a former world number one and is unarguablythe brightest name in a seven-strong Indian boxing contingentfor the London Olympics.

He is well aware of the expectations from him butVijender (75kg) would rather not think about those.

"I can understand there are expectations but I cannotkeep thinking about them. My job is to focus on training andleave the rest to God. I prefer to shut my mind to everythingelse ahead of major competitions," the Haryana lad told.

Vijender has earned his Olympic berth the hard way,failing in his first two attempts before finally making thecut in the third and last chance -- the Asian OlympicQualifiers in April.

But he prefers to pick the positives from the processinstead of harping on the agonising wait he endured.

"It was all a part of the learning process. It made metougher as a competitor. Yes, there have been low points butthat's part and parcel of being an international athlete. Youcan't escape such phases. I am just glad that I came through,"said the strapping six-footer.

"Now the aim is another Olympic medal because that iswhat I will be remembered for. Being a three-time Olympian isfine but it would be better with a two-time medallist tagalong with it," he said.