Another Bhiwani Star - Vikas Krishan Yadav : Became the Youngest Boxer Ever To Win a Gold Medal in Asian Games at The Age of Just 18

He made it possible before his ideal. Yes, I’m talking about the India’s new sporting hero, Vikas Krishan Yadav, who became the youngest boxer to won an Asian Games boxing gold ever. He won gold medal on Thursday a day before his role model Vijender Singh bagged his Gold for India. 

Like many shining sports star in Bhiwani, Vikas Krishan Yadav, 18, has been eagerly following the destiny of Olympic winner Vijender Singh. In his hometown Bhiwani, India's boxing nursery, not many were surprised. It was another day at office for its boxers, who've won four out of seven medals won by India at the Asian Games.

A bizarre stomach bug almost dashed the teenage champion's medal hopes. On the eve of his bout, Vikas had to keep visiting the loo till late at night. His father blames it on laddoos. "His mom packed laddoos made in desi ghee for him. He had one too many and followed it with some mutton. Still, he did not let his condition deter him and focused on outwitting his Chinese opponent. Perhaps, the affection in his mother's laddoos helped him emerge a winner," says Yadav.

When he returns home next week, Yadav, an employee with the Haryana electricity department, plans to do his bit to pamper his son. "I'll buy him a car. He has been asking for a mobike but I thought it was too dangerous. Now that he is 18, I'll let him choose the make and I will pay for it."

Apart from pestering him for a bike, Vikas hasn't made too many demands from his father. Till his boxing commitments became a priority, Vikas, like his younger sister Kiran, studying Sciences in class 11, was a good student. But once he joined the Bhiwani Boxing Club (BBC), he could not attend regular school. So, Vikas took his class 12 exams through Open School and is pursuing a graduation through correspondence.

What makes Vikas stand out from other pugilists gunning for boxing glory at coach Jagdish Singh's academy is his intelligence. In a way, he is Bhiwani's first cerebral boxer. "He is good at  football and carrom, too, but takes keener interest in chess. In fact, the intelligence he gained from chess helped him out-think his opponents in China," says his father.

Perhaps, it was this habit of breaking stereotypes that made Vikas drop a career in the army to pursue boxing.