The celebrated Mary Kom on Tuesday became the most successful pugilist in the Women's World Championships history by assuring herself a seventh medal while three more Indians reached the semi-finals to be assured of their maiden medals at the AIBA Women’s World Championships in New Delhi.
The 35-year-old Mary, a mother of three, defeated China's Wu Yu 5-0 in the light flyweight (48kg) category quarter-finals to enter the last-four stage and be assured of at least a bronze.
Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Sonia Chahal (57kg) and Simranjit Kaur (64kg), part of India's young brigade in the boxing team, also reached the semi-finals to be assured of medals in their debut World Championships.
With four medals assured, India’s performance is set to be the best in recent times. The country’s best performance ever was the eight medals, including four gold, it won in 2006.
After that, India won four medals in 2008, two in 2010, one in 2012, two in 2014 and one in 2016.
Mary Kom Creates History
Mary Kom was tied with Irish legend Katie Taylor on the number of medals won before this edition. But with Tuesday's win, the Manipuri became the most successful boxer in the marquee tournament. Taylor now plies her trade in the professional circuit.
Mary Kom entered the event with a remarkable tally of five gold medals and a silver to her credit. She last won a world championship medal in 2010 -- a gold in the 48kg category.
It was a tough bout. Not very tough but not very easy also. There are a lot of good Chinese boxers who keep coming. I have faced a lot of them but this opponent I have not faced earlier.Mary Kom
"But once I got her game I thought out what to do and I had not much of a problem after that," she added.
The Olympic bronze-medallist next faces North Korea's Kim Hyang Mi in the semi-final on Thursday. The Indian had beaten her in the Asian Championships last year.
So, I am confident of winning (semi-final bout) but not overconfident.Mary Kom
In a bout, which saw little action, Mary Kom was the better boxer with clean punches. More importantly, the local favourite rarely allowed Wu to get a clean shot at her. The five judges ruled in her favour with the elaborate score line reading 30-27 29-28 30-27 29-28 30-27.
Lovlina Continues Her Great Run
The 21-year-old Borgohain, an Asian Champrionships bronze medallist last year, beat Scott Kaye Frances of Australia in the quarter-finals in a unanimous decision of 5-0.
Borgohain from Assam produced a dominating performance to beat her Australian opponent, who won silver in the 81kg category in the 2016 edition but competing in the 69kg here.
Scott also won a bronze in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games in 69kg.
I want to win a gold and that is my target. I will not be satisfied less than a gold.Lovlina Borgohain
"It was a tough fight but I think I handled my opponent well. I am happy to be assured of a medal in my first World Championships," Borgohain said.
Borgohain next faces Chen Nien-Chin of Taipei in the semi-finals on Thursday.
I had faced her once earlier and I lost. But at that time I was younger and inexperienced. But I am confident I can beat her this time.Lovlina Borgohain
Sonia Takes Down Castenada
Sonia was a 4-1 split decision winner against Maecela Yeni Castenada of Columbia.
Sonia began with a solid first round but seemed to be on the backfoot in the second. With coach Rafaelle Bergamasco yelling at the ringside, she went on an attacking mode in the final round and clinched the bout.
Rafaelle sir told me you are leading and why you are stepping back. He told me to attack in the third round, which I did and won the bout. A medal is assured but I want to win the gold.Sonia Chahal
Sonia next faces Son Hwa Jo of North Korea in the semi-finals on Friday
Simranjit Fights it Out
The 23-year-old Simranjit had a difficult fight against Amy Sara Broadhurst of Ireland but eventually won the quarterfinal bout 3-1.
In fact, the boxer from Punjab lost the first and third round while winning the second.
She, however, won in overall points which read 27-29 28-28 29-27 30-26 29-27.
In the semi-finals on Friday, Simranjit will be taking on Dan Hou of China.
Pinki, Kachari, Manisha & Seema Ousted
Eight Indians took the field on Tuesday but four of them lost their bouts.
Pinki Rani lost her 51kg quarterfinal bout against Pang Chol Mi of North Korea in a unanimous decision while top seed and last edition’s silver winner Stoyka Petrova of Bulgaria in a 4-1 decision in 54kg beat Manisha Maun.
Kachari Bhagyabati (81kg) lost 3-2 on split decision against Jessica Sinisterra of Columbia. The Indian was leading in the first round but the Columbian fought back to do better in the next two to clinch the bout.
Seema Poonia (+81kg) was the last Indian to take the ring but she was no match for her formidable opponent from China, Yang Xiaoli, who was the defending champion as well as 2014 gold winner.
With less number of boxers competing in the weight category, Seema was directly competing at the quarterfinals in her first bout of the tournament but she lost in a unanimous decision.
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