Australian boxer Taylah Robertson has become the first medallist of the 21st Commonwealth Games without even stepping into the ring after she got a bye straight into the 51kg category women’s semifinals.
The 19-year-old has got what is called the lucky medal due to the small size of her draw, luck that eluded Indians, including the celebrated M. C. Mary Kom (48kg), who will fight her quarterfinal contest on April 8.
Robertson said she wouldn’t stop just at a bronze in what is her debut appearance at the Games. India have not fielded any boxer in the 51kg category for women boxers.
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“I want the gold medal and I am not going into the ring here to win bronze,” she said.
“It’s nice to have a medal but I want gold - and with all the training I’ve done, I want to earn it. I am not worried about who I meet in the semifinal, I am ready,” she added.
Robertson’s semifinal is scheduled for April 13, while the boxing competition will get under way at the Oxenford Studios on Thursday.
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India will just have 2010 CWG gold-medallist Manoj Kumar (69kg) in action tomorrow.