Mary Kom, is not named as Magnificent Mary just because of her talent and skills but also because of her massive victories and records. She has yet again proved her talent as she secured her 8th world medal on 10th October 2019 at the World Women’s Boxing Championship after advancing to semifinals.
Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte is an Olympic boxer from Manipur and is the only woman to become World Amateur Boxing champion for six times and the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each one of the first seven championships. She has also been ranked as No. 1 AIBA World Women’s Ranking Light Flyweight category and is the only boxer to become Asian Amateur Boxing Champion for record five times. Also, she became the first Indian woman boxer to get a Gold Medal in the Asian Games in 2014 at Incheon, South Korea and is the first Indian woman boxer to win gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She has won six gold and one silver medals in World Championships, a gold and bronze in Asian Games whereas five gold medals and a silver in Asian Games. She received Padma Shri in 2006 and Padma Bhushan in 2013 and is nominated for Padma Vibhushan. This year alone, Mary won gold medals at the India Open in Guwahati and President’s cup in Indonesia.
She surpassed herself as the most successful boxer in Women’s World Championships at Ulan Ude in Russia by securing an eighth medal. She defeated her Colombian rival Valencia Victoria with 5-0 in 51 kg category. She used her experience as she swung her right arm masterfully to connect well-placed hooks. Mary waited for her chances and defended sharply. She said, “I am very happy to have secured a medal but I would be looking to make it better by reaching the finals.” Talking about the bout she said, “It was a good bout for me and I will now try to improve on this performance in the semifinals.” She became the first boxer in the history of the World Championships to win 8 world meet medals. She was tied with Felix Savon, Cuban men’s legend on 7 after winning the gold in the 48 kg category in New Delhi last year. This will be Mary’s first World Championships medal in the 51 kg category.
She is waiting for semifinal which is scheduled on Saturday with second-seeded Turk Busenaz Cakiroglu who is European Championships and European Games gold-medalist. China’s Cai Zongju was defeated by Cakirglu in her quarterfinal bout.
Minister of State of the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports Kiren Rijiju praised Mary Kom’s performance in the World Women’s Boxing Championships, “The way Mary Kon has shown her commitment towards the sports after becoming a mother of three children it is a big message to sports.” He also added, “Mary Kom is assured of a medal again, she has already won six world championships titles. She is a legend who has made India proud.”
While on the other hand, India’s Lovlina Borgohain had progressed to the quarter-finals of World Women’s Boxing Championships on Wednesday and she defeated Oumayma Bel Ahbib of Morocco in the 69 kg category. Jamuna Bora also entered the quarter finals in the 54 kg category after defeating Algerian Ouidad Sfough 5-0. Kavita Chahal was the only Indian boxer to lose her quarterfinal bout 1-4 against Kavaleva Katsiaryna of Belarus. Manju Rani is also in semis in 48 kg category.
Now there are four Indians in the semis and are ready to bag another victory.
