New Delhi, December 16 2009: Jinxes were shattered and new highs attained as Indian boxing continued its post-Olympic upward march and Vijender Singh was the undisputed star of the show yet again with his ground-breaking achievements in a mega-successful year.

Whether it was winning India's maiden World Championship medal in Milan or becoming the world's number one middle weight boxer, the 24-year-old Olympic bronze medallist remained the brightest star on the Indian boxing horizon for the second year in a row.

In between punching his way into history books, Vijender, along with his female counterpart MC Mary Kom, also walked away with the country's highest sporting honour - the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, which was also a first for Indian boxing.

A multi-million dollar deal with leading sports management firm Percept only added to his growing aura as one of India's biggest sporting stars outside cricket.

But while Vijender settled for bronze in every tournament he competed in, a 22-year-old from a small town in Manipur, Suranjoy Singh, quite literally became Indian boxing's golden boy this year.

The shy fly weight boxer, who wanted to be a footballer at the start of his career before being persuaded to don the gloves by his elder brother, clinched three gold medals at prestigious international events.

Still basking in the glory of a phenomenal 2008, the medal rush for Indian boxing started quite early this year with the European Grand Prix in May in Czech Republic.

For the first time in 40 years of the event, an Indian boxer, Suranjoy, claimed a gold medal.

With excellent results in the ring and some exciting developments off it, Indian boxing remained on the upswing, promising an even better 2010 when the country hosts the Commonwealth Games in October.

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