Asian Games: ‘Magnificent’ Mary Kom wins boxing gold medal

New Delhi: Legendary Indian boxer, MC Mary Kom captured her first Asian Games gold medal in the women’s flyweight (48-51kg) boxing competition in Incheon Wednesday. Her win came as a huge relief for the Indian contingent following yesterday’s heart-breaking lost of team-mate Laishram Sarita.
It is India’s first gold medal in women’s boxing since it was introduced at the Asian Games in Guangzhou 2010. Mary, a five time World Champion, defeated Kazakhstan’s Zhaina Shekerbekova 2-0, with one judge scoring the bout 38-38.
The 31-year-old pugilist from Manipur had already won Asian Championship and an Olympic Bronze medal in the London Olympics. In the previous edition of the Asiad, in Guangzhou, she settled with a bronze medal.
Hailed as ‘Magnificent Mary’ by the International Boxing Association for her unprecedented feats, she trailed her Kazakh opponent in the first round in the title bout, but soon regained her composure to win the three remaining rounds and give India the first gold medal in women’s boxing.
For India, it’s the eighth boxing gold at Asian Games. Vikas Krishan and Vijender were the most recent gold medallist, both winning in the 2010.