If cricketers can model, why can't I?: Vijender

NEW DELHI: His good looks and great physique may be giving top models a run for their money, but Beijing Olympics bronze medallist Vijender Singh on Friday said he is walking the ramp in a bid to raise boxing's profile in the country.
    
"I want to use this platform (modelling) to bring the game in the limelight, make it as popular as possible and catapult it to its deserving place at the top," Vijender said on the sidelines of a felicitation programme organised by IACM here.
    
"If cricketers can do it, why can't I," he quipped.
    
However, the reticent Bhiwani-boxer made it clear that he will be confined to modelling only and won't take the plunge into acting at the moment.
    
"I am neither interested in acting nor I am looking for films now. Boxing is my priority. It's for boxing that I am here today, getting all the name and fame. So boxing will always be my first choice, everything comes later," he said.     

The 22-year-old pugilist said he has started training but remains unsure about participating in the World Cup to be held in Moscow in mid-December.
    
"I have started training but the World Cup is still a couple of months away, so let's see," he said.

Boxing coach Jagdish Singh, who also hails from Bhiwani and was felicitated on the day, expressed his doubt about Vijender's participation in the World Cup.
    
"I don't know completely but there is a possibility that he may not take part in the tournament," he said.
    
Following his achievement in Beijing, Vijender urged youngsters to take up boxing so that India can earn more medals in the Olympics in future.
    
"Boxing is a game of the middle class. It is not that expensive, so I would like young people to take up the game so that we can bring laurels to the country."
    
With the Commonwealth Games and the 2012 London Olympics around the corner, Jagdish has high hopes from the Indian trio of Vijender, Jitender Kumar and Akhil Kumar and said they should aim for nothing else other than gold.
    
"Our boxers are good, the only thing they lack is experience. But age is on their side, so I hope they would gain experience and win gold at the Commonwealth Games and London Olympics," he said.