Two jewels of India have proved their worth yet again at the World Women’s Boxing Championships in Ulan-Ude on Thursday at 10th October this year. As the two women boxing champions advanced to the semi-finals, both secured at least two medals for the nation. The awardees include the six-time champion MC Mary Kom (playing under the 51kg category) and debutant Manju Rani (playing under the 48kg category).
Mary entered the semi-finale by defeating Ingrit Valencia of Colombia with a score of 5:0 verdict in the quarter-finals. With this she breaks her own record with a total of 8 medals, becoming the most successful boxer in the history of the boxing championship in both women and men competitions. In the rank list of the competition, last four spots were bagged by a Haryana boxer- Manju and South Korean boxer Kim Hyang Mi.
However, apart from these two, there was not much luck for other Indian players at the championship. One Kavita Chahal, playing in the 81kg+ category got a direct entry into the quarters, given there were few entries in her weight category. She eventually did not meet good fate in the championship as she lost in the quarterfinals round to champion from Belarus- Kavaleva Karsiaryna. Saweety Boora of India lost in quarter-finals to Louise Price in her pre-quarterfinal bout in the 75 kg category. The fight between these boxing queens was tight, but Price prevailed with a score of 3:1. Welsh pugilist’s account saw the deduction of one point for excessive holding in the second round.
The semi-finale for both these women boxers are due on 10 October 2019 and they will be just one step behind winning the championship. Mary is set now next to face Lorena Victoria Valencia of Colombia.
Boxing World Record Holders:
Other world-record holders in boxing are Mary Kom with 8 medals, Felix Savin from Cuba with 7 medals, Katie Taylor from Ireland with 6 medals.
- Mary Kom (India): 8 medals
- Félix Savon (Cuba): 7 medals
- Katie Taylor (Ireland): 6 medals
Other achievements in Boxing of MC Mary Kom:
Mary Kom used all her experience to great advantage and started off slowly against the Rio Olympic bronze medallist. Previously, Mary Kom also won a bronze medal at the Rio Olympic. She has also won a total of six gold medals and eight silver medals through her participation at the championships, being her first gold medal at an international level championship in boxing. She has shown an incredible career-record studded with all gold, silver and bronze. She has previously won one Olympic bronze medal in the year 2012, five Asian titles, gold medals at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, besides numerous other international top finishes to her name.
This seems to be the peak of her career as in alone in the year 2019 she has managed to bag gold medals at the India Open in Guwahati and President’s Cup in Indonesia. After switching to the 51 kg in May this year, Mary has bagged several awards to her name in the face of golds at the India Open and the President’s Cup.