MC Mary Kom Enters Semifinal Of World Boxing Championships, Eighth Medal Assured

MC Mary Kom has created history by entering the semi-finals of the World Boxing Championship in the 51kg category. With this, the Indian superstar has assured herself of an unprecedented eighth medal in the tournament. Mary Kom is the only six-time world champion when it comes to the women's category and in the 2019 World Boxing Championships in Ulan Ude, Mary Kom has come closer to creating more history and she will be determined to enter new ground and become the world champion for the seventh time. However, the fact that it has come in the 51kg category is even more pleasing for Mary Kom considering she has not achieved success in this category before. Mary Kom defeated Rio Olympic bronze medallist Ingirt Valencia to reach the last four.

Mary Kom secured a unanimous 5-0 verdict to make the last-eight stage. With this, Mary Kom bettered her own record as the most successful boxer in the history of the marquee tournament. Entering into this edition, she had six gold and a silver in her kitty but this is the first time, the Manipuri has secured a world medal in the 51kg category. She had finished a quarterfinalist in this division in the past. The latest achievement adds to her legend. Mary Kom's incredible career is also studded with an Olympic bronze medal (2012), five Asian titles, gold medals at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, besides numerous other international top finishes. This year alone, she won gold medals at the India Open in Guwahati and President's Cup in Indonesia.

Mary Kom had opted out of the Asian Championships last month in order to prepare for the World Championships as the event will serve as good preparatory ground for Olympic qualification. "I have been preparing well for 51kg category. Having got a real hand idea of the competition in this class in Germany, I am ready to give my best at this tournament and test myself ahead of the World Championships," said Mary Kom, who led six Indian boxers to gold in the last edition in New Delhi.

Also Read | MC Mary Kom scales the summit, becomes No.1 in latest AIBA Boxing rankings

Mary Kom's unprecedented sixth world title triumph has propelled her to the number one position in the International Boxing Association's (AIBA) latest world rankings. Mary Kom became the most successful boxer in world championships' history when she claimed the 48kg category top honours. In the updated rankings put out by AIBA, Mary Kom is placed top of the charts in the weight division with 1700 points. The 36-year-old will have to jump to 51kg in pursuit of her 2020 Olympic dream as 48kg is not yet included in the Games roster.

Also Read | Mary Kom sets sights on 2020 Tokyo Olympics after historic sixth world boxing gold

Mary Kom had defeated Ukraine's Hanna Okhota 5-0 to clinch the Women's World Boxing Championship to make her the most successful athlete in women's boxing in history. The 35-year-old boxer had secured the gold medal the last time it was held in New Delhi in 2006 and she shattered history to 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.

The mother-of-three enjoyed a stellar 2018, picking up gold medals at the Commonwealth Games and a tournament in Poland. She also clinched silver at the prestigious Strandja Memorial in Bulgaria. Among other Indians, Pinki Jangra is placed eighth in the 51kg category list. Asian silver-medallist Manisha Maun holds the same position in the 54kg category. 

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