Manipur’s sportswomen have relentlessly broken through barriers – economic and social among others – in a single-minded march towards harvesting medals for India. On Wednesday, Mary Kom added another glorious chapter to this heart-warming story, becoming the first Indian woman boxer to clinch gold at the Asian Games.
She defeated Kazakhstan’s Zhaina Shekerbekova 2-0 in the final of the flyweight section. At the other end of the spectrum was frustration and despair as fellow pugilist Sarita Devi refused to accept the bronze medal following her controversial semifinal defeat to Korean Park Jina in the lightweight category on Tuesday. The International Boxing Association (AIBA) has initiated a disciplinary action process against her. A tearful Sarita said she did what she did to ensure that memories of the incident would not stay in her mind.
Iboyaima Laithangbam from Imphal adds:
The Manipur government has announced a cash reward of Rs 15 lakh to Mary Kom. A grand reception is being planned by the sports lovers in the state when she returns home.
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