Vijender Singh failed to better the bronze he ensured for India as he lost 3-7 to Uzbekistan's Abbos Atoev in the middleweight semi-finals of the World Boxing Championships in Milan on Friday.

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

Vijender led 1-0 in the opening round, but Atoev, a former light-heavyweight 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 No 2 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 boxer from Haryana.

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