Leading the Indian contingent for the 2018 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, MC Mary Kom on Tuesday advanced to the semi-finals of the Women's World Boxing Championships. With this, Kom is assured of winning her seventh World Championship medal.
The legendary boxer defeated China's Wu Yu 5-0 in the light flyweight (48kg) category quarter-finals to enter the last-four stage, which ensures at least a bronze. "The World Championships are always tough," said the 35-year-old. "And the Chinese always come up with new faces. I won't say it was very easy or very tough. I planned my strategy well and fought accordingly," said Mary Kom, India Today reported.
The 35-year-old celebrated boxer is an Olympic silver medallist and an Asian Games gold medal winner. Kom entered the event with a five gold medals and a silver in her kitty. She last won a world championship medal in 2010 -- a 48kg category gold.
Also Read: Not ready to hang up her gloves: Remembering Mary Kom’s finest Sporting Moments
The boxer is eyeing her second gold at home since 2006. She won gold the last time New Delhi hosted a world championship. The hunt for light flyweight (48kg) gold this time is solely aimed at breaking the tie with Katie Taylor by winning an unprecedented sixth world title. Taylor now plies her trade in the professional circuit.
With Tuesday's win, the Commonwealth Games medallist became the most successful boxer in the marquee tournament
However, the young debutantes are the ones to watch out for in the tournament. With their impressive punches, three debutants — Lovlina Borgohain (69kg), Sonia (57kg) and Simranjeet Kaur (64kg) — moved into the last four along with Kom.
“All my strategies against this boxer and all the work I put in worked today. It feels good to enter the semifinals but I am targeting gold, so I am not celebrating too much,” 21-year-old Lovlina said after her 5-0 win on Tuesday, TOI reported.
“My movements were quite fast and I fought with discipline. I want to take back gold, from my first big international event. I observe my opponent to make a good plan and strategy for her,” said Sonia, who is ready to face 2018 Asian Games silver medallist Son Hwa Jo of North Korea.
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