Page 4 - Sportskeeda's Indian Sportsperson of the Year 2016

Sportskeeda's Indian Sportsperson of the Year 2016 – No. 15 to No. 6

Modified Dec 30, 2016 10:59 IST

DOHA, QATAR - DECEMBER 05: Pankaj Arjan Advani of India poses after claiming the Gold Medal in the Men's English Billiards Singles Final match against Ashok Harishankar Shandil Ya of India during day five of the 15th Asian Games Doha 2006 at Al Sadd Sports Complex on December 5, 2006 in Doha, Qatar. (Photo by Ryan Pierse/Getty Images for DAGOC) — *Pankaj Advani won his 12th World Billiards Championship*

#12 Vijender Singh

LONDON, ENGLAND - APRIL 30: Vijender Singh celebrates victory over Matiouze Royer afterthe International Middleweight Contest between Vijender Singh and Matiouze Royer at Copper Box Arena on April 30, 2016 in London, England. (Photo by Alex Morton/Getty Images) — *Vijender Singh won all five of his bouts in 2016*

Vijender Singh turned to professional boxing last year and has never looked back. This year he achieved new heights in his ever-soaring professional career when he clinched the WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight title.

He started off the year by knocking out Hungary’s Alexander Horvath in round 3 in the Flanagan-Matthews undercard. He then overcame Matiouze Royer of France at the Copper Box Arena, knocking him out in the fifth round. Then Vijender proceeded to defeat Poland’s Andrej Soldra at Bolton’s Macron Stadium securing yet another knockout.

The WBO Asia Pacific Super Middleweight bout was in July where Vijender overcame Australian Kerry Hope’s challenge in front of his home crowd. This time, though, he won by unanimous decision with two judges scoring it 98-92 while the third one scored it 100-90 in favour of the Indian pugilist.

The triumphs saw Vijender climb up to the 10^th position of the WBO Rankings. The boxer then successfully defended his title in New Delhi against former world champion Francis Cheka, thereby maintaining his cent percent record this year.