Mary Kom inches closer to Olympic berth

Star Indian woman boxer M C Mary Kom (51kg) continued to make confident strides towards booking an Olympic berth by entering the World Championships’ quarterfinals, but L. Sarita Devi’s fate hung in the balance after she lost a close last—16 bout in Qinhuangdao, China on Tuesday.

Mary Kom defeated Norway’s Marielle Hansen 18—6 to make the last eight stage of the first and only qualifying event for women boxers, who will make their Olympic debut in London in three categories - 51kg, 60kg and 75kg.

Mary Kom’s division has two slots on offer for Asia from among a total of eight. Three Asians have made the quarterfinals - the other two being Asian Games champion Ren Cancan and North Korea’s Hye Kim.

If either of the two go on to lose in the quarters on Wednesday and Mary Kom wins her bout against world number two Nicola Adams of England, the Indian would bag the Olympic slot.

“It was a good bout. It was not as draining as the first one, and I tested everything that I have in terms of combination of punches,” Mary Kom told PTI from Qinhuangdao.

“My opponent today was taller than me and was very accurate with her punches. Her technique was neat, and therefore I could use every trick in my book,” she added.