Vijender Singh: India’s Boxing Star Celebrates 41st Birthday with Achievements in Sports, Cinema, and Politics

New Delhi, October 28 (Daily Kiran) : Star Indian boxer Vijender Singh will celebrate his 41st birthday on October 29. Known for his powerful punches that have troubled opponents worldwide, Vijender has also ventured into cinema and politics.

Born on October 29, 1985, in Kaluwas village, Haryana, his full name is Vijender Singh Beniwal. His father, Mahipal Singh Beniwal, worked as a bus driver for Haryana Roadways, while his mother is a homemaker. Growing up in a financially struggling family, Vijender chose boxing as a career to improve his family’s fortunes, a decision that proved to be successful.

His passion for the sport was inspired by his older brother Manoj, who was also a boxer. In 1998, Manoj secured a job with the Indian Army through boxing, which later helped support Vijender financially. Although a graduate, Vijender’s parents never pressured him to prioritize academics, recognizing his talent and passion for boxing.

Vijender trained at the Bhiwani Boxing Club, where coach Jagdish Singh identified his potential. He won a silver medal at his first sub-junior nationals in 1997 and claimed his first gold at the national championships in 2000. By 2003, he became the All-India Youth Boxing Champion, marking the start of a promising boxing career.

He competed in the 2004 Athens Summer Olympics but lost to Turkey’s Mustafa Karagolou. However, he made history at the 2008 Beijing Olympics by winning a bronze medal, becoming the first Indian boxer to earn an Olympic medal. Following this, he secured bronze at the 2009 World Championships and again at the 2010 Commonwealth Games, along with a silver medal at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

In June 2015, Vijender turned professional, which prevented him from participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics. His professional career has been marked by significant success.

The fame from the 2008 Olympics opened doors for Vijender in the film and advertising industries. He appeared on the big screen in the 2014 film “Fugly” and in 2023’s “Kisi Ka Bhai Kisi Ki Jaan.”

In addition to his sports and film career, Vijender has also been active in politics. He contested the 2019 Lok Sabha elections on a Congress ticket but joined the BJP ahead of the 2024 elections.

For his contributions to boxing, Vijender has received several accolades from the Indian government, including the Arjuna Award and the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award. He was also honored with the Padma Shri in 2010.