Beijing:Sushil Kumar and Vijender Kumar have ensured that Abhinav Bindra's gold wasn't the only bright spark in India's Olympic campaign this time. The success story of the boxers reflects how Indian sport has changed in the last 2 weeks. Finally there is redemption for these unknown soldiers who have toiled away for years without recognition.
Abhinav Bindra's historic gold on day 3 of the Olympics broke an invisible barrier, a myth that an individual Olympic gold was impossible. In wrestling Sushil kumar's never say die attitude saw him turn defeat into victory.
Numbers wise this was perhaps the strongest Indian contingent ever and besides the three medals; there were some who missed by a whisker.
2 boxers, Akhil and Jitender reached the quarterfinals just one step away from the medal rounds. Saina Nehwal's dream run to the quarterfinals in badminton will be remembered for a long time.
The tennis duo of Leander Paes and Mahesh Bhupathi were almost there. They had the misfortune of running into a red hot Roger Federer in the quarterfinals. Gagan Narang missed out on the Olympic final in the 10mtr air rifle on a technicality, while Mansher Singh missed out on the final in trap by just one point.
There were speculations on India winning a single medal at 2008 Olympics. However, scenes have changed and people believe India might have 6 to 10 medals at London in 4 years time. The Beijing Olympics will always be remembered as the games when Indian sport showed the first signs of breaking the shackles.
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