Vijender Singh lost 3-7 to Uzbekistan's Abbos Atoev in the middle weight semifinals of the World Boxing Championships.

The Indian pugilist thus failed to better the bronze he had ensured for the country by reaching the semis.

But even in defeat, the top-seeded Indian achieved a historic feat by becoming India's first medal winner at the mega-event.

Vijender led 1-0 in the opening round but Atoev, a former light heavy weight world champion, staged a brilliant comeback in the next three minutes to blank the Indian 5-0 and take a 5-1 overall lead.

The third and final round ended 2-2 but the slight late recovery was not enough for the world number two to clinch the bout.

"Obviously, I am a disappointed. But I am glad that I managed to break the jinx for India," said the 23-year-old Haryana boxer.

Vijender had earlier beaten Atoev in the Asian Championships in June in China.