Sonia Chahal settles for silver in Women's World Boxing Championship

Sonia Chahal came up short in the 57kg featherweight category as she lost to Germany's Ornella Wahner 1-4 in the final of the Women's World Boxing Championship in New Delhi on Saturday. Sonia, who was the silver medallist at the 2016 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships and a twice silver medallist at the Asian Amateur Boxing Championships, dominated the first minute of the contest against the German but the experience of Wahner and her hard punches dominated the next two rounds as the Indian youngster struggled to get going. The Indian tried to make a comeback but the German gave her no room and the Indian could not land her punches. However, it ends a great tournament for Sonia, who had entered the final after defeating 2018 Asian Games silver-medalist Son Hwa Jo.

Sonia’s silver medal summed up a solid day for India after Mary Kom won created history in the Women's World Boxing Championship earlier to secure an unprecedented sixth gold medal, making her the most successful athlete in women's boxing in history. Mary Kom had defeated the Ukranian in the 13th International Silesian Championship for women in Gliwice, Poland earlier in the year and she showed her prowess in the first round itself.

Mary Kom was on the attack and she landed a couple of strong punches with the right as well as the left. In the second round, Mary Kom was a bit more calm and she bidded her time, dodging Okhota's left hand. Egged on by a massive crowd cheering her name, Mary Kom landed a sharp left as she maintained the momentum. In the third round, Mary Kom continued to land the punches and after a slight confusion, she was declared the winner.

Mary Kom had secured the gold medal the last time it was held in New Delhi in 2006 and she now has a chance to shatter history and become the all-time leading gold medal winner in the World Boxing Championship. With this win, Mary Kom became the only female boxer in history to win six gold medals in the World Boxing Championship. When one looks at both men and women's boxing, Mary Kom has drawn level with Cuban boxer Felix Savon.