MC Mary Kom Swells Record Medals Kitty at Boxing World Championships
MC Mary Kom beat Colombia’s Valencia Victoria 5-0 in the quarterfinals at the AIBA World Women’s Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude, Russia.
MC Mary Kom made history in New Delhi last year, winning an unprecedented sixth world title at the Women’s Boxing Championships. This year, she has added to it. Kom assured herself an unprecedented eighth medal at the World Women’s Boxing Championships after advancing to the semifinals, beating Colombia’s Valencia Victoria by a unanimous 5-0 verdict in Ulan-Ude, Russia, on October 10.
With this, Mary Kom bettered her own record as the most successful boxer — man or woman — in the history of the marquee tournament. Entering into this edition, she had six gold and a silver in her kitty. Competing in a weight category higher than the one she has been most successful at the championships, she has secured a world medal in the 51kg category for the first time. Her best has been a quarterfinal appearance in this division.
Also Read | The Indian Athlete and the Spinning Vortex of Failure
"I am very happy to have secured a medal but I would be looking to make it better by reaching the finals," Kom said after the bout. She will take on second-seeded Turk Busenaz Cakiroglu in her semifinal bout on October 12, after a rest day on Friday. Cakiroglu is the reigning European Championships and European Games gold medallist. She defeated Cai Zongju of China in her quarterfinal bout, just after Kom's impressive victory.
Adding to India’s medal tally, Manju Rani assured herself of a medal, beating North Korea's Kim Hyang-mi in the 48kg category. Hyang-mi was the top seed in the weight category at the event. The sixth-seeded Indian prevailed 4-1 to assure herself at least a bronze on her debut at the Worlds. Manju next faces Thailand's Chuthamat Raksat in the semifinals, also on October 12.
Also Read | Indian Cricket Ushers in a Revolution Amidst Call For Change
Another Indian debutant, 22-year-old Jamuna Boro, moved into the semifinals in the 54kg category. Boro beat Germany’s Ursula Gottlob 4-1 to assure herself of a medal.
Despite being outboxed and out thought in the opening round, the youngster staged a comeback, relying on her superior range and counter punching ability to turn the scorecards around and secure a third medal for India at the Championships
Get the latest reports & analysis with people's perspective on Protests, movements & deep analytical videos, discussions of the current affairs in your Telegram app. Subscribe to NewsClick's Telegram channel & get Real-Time updates on stories, as they get published on our website.
