Another feather has been added to the cap of India’s most decorated boxer: MC Mary Kom’s unprecedented sixth world title triumph has propelled her to the number one position in the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) latest world rankings.
The diminutive Manipuri became the most successful female boxer in the history of the World Championships when she claimed the 48 kg gold in New Delhi in November 2018.
The latest update put out by AIBA saw Mary Kom placed on top of the charts in the weight division with 1700 points.
The 35-year-old – India’s only female boxer to have won an Olympic medal – will be having to jump to the 51 kg category in pursuit of her 2020 Tokyo Olympic dreams, with the 48 kg event not part of the Games roster.
Mary Kom enjoyed a stellar 2018, picking up gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and a tournament in Poland in addition to her crowning glory at the World Championships. The mother-of-three also won a silver at the prestigious Strandja Memorial in Bulgaria.
Among other Indian boxers, Pinki Jangra is placed eighth in the 51 kg category list, while Asian Championship silver medallist Manisha Maun holds the same position in the 54 kg weight division.
Former World Championship silver medallist Sonia Lather finds herself in second spot in the 57 kg division despite enduring a disappointing 2018, which saw her finish outside the medals at the Asian Games.
World Championship bronze medallist Simranjit Kaur (64 kg), who was crowned the national champion a few days back, took the fourth position in her weight category. Former world champion L Sarita Devi followed her at the 16th spot.
India Open champion and world bronze-winner Lovlina Borgohain took the fifth position in the 69 kg category.
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