Mary Kom Playing for the Sixth Gold of Her Career at the AIBA Women’ World Championships

Guwahati: MC Mary Kom, the five-time world boxing champion is eyeing the sixth gold of her career as the 10^th edition of the AIBA Women’ World Championships is to kickoff in the national capital in no time. The boxing championship this time is expected to be even bigger with the highest number of participants joining the competition.

It is reported that the competition will see more than 300 participants from 72 countries. After 2006, this is for the second time that India is hosting the championships and the records from the previous championship held in the country showed an outstandingly brilliant performance with eight medals (4 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze). The team India this time comprises of 10 members in which both seasoned and young boxers could be seen. Even though the 2006 feat may not be repeated this time but the nation is eyeing at least three medals, including a Gold and among the highly expected contestants, MC Mary Kom certainly is a strong name.

Currently, 35-year-old Mary Kom is sharing the list of highest medal earners with Katie Taylor as both the boxers are on top with five gold medals. With one more gold medal in her kitty, Mary Kom will become the most successful woman boxer in history as the Irish pugilist has turned a Pro.

Popularly known as ‘Magnificent Mary’; the boxer from Manipur will fight in the 48 kg category and fighting for this gold will be even more important for her as she will be contesting her opponent in front of the home crowd.

Despite all the expectations and dreams, the female boxer is well aware that the road to gold will not be easy. Before this, the boxer had to be satisfied with a bronze only in the 2012 Olympics.

She said, “There are boxers who are still playing in my category since 2001. I know them very well. The new boxers are tougher and smarter, they are faster. I will use my experience. The past boxers are more or less the same, I know them.”

Along with Mary Kom, another female boxer from Manipur L Sarita Devi too will be competing in the 60kg category. Sarita has won five Asian titles besides winning gold in 2006.

Other eight boxers in the team are Pinky Jangra (51 Kg), Manisha Maun (54 Kg), Sonia (57 Kg), Simranjit Kaur (64 Kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69 Kg), Saweety Boora (75 Kg), Bhagyabati Kachari (81 Kg) and Seema Poonia (+81 Kg).

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