Magnificent Mary On Gold Spree

New Delhi: Creating history in the Women’s World Boxing Championship, Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, won her sixth gold in New Delhi on Saturday.

Without breaking a sweat, the 35-year-old boxer out-classed Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota in an unanimous 5-0 verdict in the 48-kg category.

The last time this feisty Manipuri won a gold was in 2010 in Bridgetown. Prior to this, she was tied with Ireland’s Katie Taylor with five gold and one bronze on the number of medals won by a woman. With her six gold and one silver in the World Championships, she has matched Cuban men’s legend Felix Savon medal haul.

Mary had won a silver at the inaugural edition and then went to win the gold in the next five consecutive editions – 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

The boxer was overwhelmed after the win and broke down after coming out of the ring. “I am a little bit emotional. There is no 48 kg weight category in the Olympic Games. Because of your love and support, I feel I will be able to qualify for 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Four years ago, I was not able to qualify for Rio. I am still suffering from that,” she said.

She thanked everyone for the love and support and said it might be difficult for her to clinch a gold in Tokyo as she will have to fight in 51-kg category.

Her other gold includes the one at Commonwealth Games this year, Asian Games 2014, Asian Indoor Games 2009 and Asian Women’s Boxing Championship in 2003, 2005, 2010, 2012 and 2017.