Indian boxing was given a huge lift in 2008 when Vijender Singh punched above his weight to glory at the Beijing Olympics - triumphing to a bronze medal win.?
It was the moment of reckoning, and boxing in India now had its own glorious tale to tell. Vijender's heroics in middleweight category had given country its first Olympic medal in boxing and kids a reason to dream big.
AFP
Indian boxing has since grown in stature and the sport has developed immensely. Following Vijender Singh's incredible feat, Mary Kom wrote another glittering chapter in Indian sports after she won a bronze in flyweight category.?
It was two Olympics in a row where India had won a bronze in boxing, a rare but historic achievement considering it was a sport that had flattered to deceive.?
When Olympics opens to all the grandeur in Tokyo next year, Indian boxers will again be vying for the ultimate glory. They will be eager to better India's performance and get their hands on that elusive gold.
The contingent will have some known faces and few new additions, who will go glory.
Here are the five boxers who could script history in Tokyo:
Reuters
World Champion Mary Kom is an unsurprising and sure shot contender to repeat her London Olympics heroics and write her name into history books.?
The record six-time amateur world champion will be looking to better her 2012 effort and go the distance this time. The 36 year-old will in all probability be playing in her last Olympics? and she would love to go out on a high.?
Age might not on her side, but Mary Kom is still stronger than ever and ready for one final assault on the gold.
AFP
India's first ever Olympic medal winning boxer, Vijender Singh will be another top pugilist to lead India's gold charge. Since his 2008 bronze triumph, the 33 year-old has made huge strides in the world of boxing.
After turning professional in 2015, he has so far fought 11 fights, and remains undefeated. He is?the current?WBO?Asia Pacific?Super Middleweight?Champion and?WBO?Oriental?Super Middleweight?Champion.
He will be looking to add to his illustrious laurels and will be targeting a gold finish at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.?
PTI
A young and upcoming talented boxer, Shiva Thapa is making quite a name for himself. The 25-year-old has clinched gold at the Asian Championship in 2015, a silver medal at the Youth Olympics in 2010 and the bronze at the Worlds in 2015.
He is quickly establishing himself as one of the finest boxers in India and is having a growing reputation across the world. The moment of true recognition might come in the Olympics and if he can make a podium finish, it will be a top-notch career defining achievement.?
He will be an exciting watch in Tokyo.
After making a very impressive start in the Rio Olympics, Vikas Krishan Yadav lost?his men's middle 75 kg quarter-final bout. It might not have been the desired result, but the now 27 year-old gave enough impress of his talent and prowess.?
Having won a gold at Commonwealth Games last year, Shiva Thapa is a much better prospect then the one that we saw in 2016. He has improved his game, and is looking a different pugilist.
He will look to put a better show in the 2020 edition and go as far as possible.
5.?Laishram Sarita Devi?
Getty Images
?A former world champion in the?lightweight?class,?Laishram Sarita Devi is another experienced boxer who will be hoping to make the podium finish in Tokyo. One of India's greatest ever boxers, she will be going to go out on a high.
The 37 year-old will look to use all her more than a decade long experience to script history and get her name in the exclusive list of Olympic medal winners. A final?