M.C. Mary Kom is Indian boxing’s most recognised face.
A mother of three, she continues to astound fans and experts, making comebacks and winning medals in elite international events. The 35-year-old, who won her fifth title in the Asian championship in Ho Chi Minh City in November, is now gunning for a Commonwealth Games medal and an Olympic gold.
Mary has reverted to her pet 48kg weight class for the upcoming major events, including the Commonwealth Games, the Asian Games and the World Championship. However, she will have to compete in the higher 51kg category next year in order to feature in the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo.
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Sarita Devi, meanwhile, is keen to improve on her silver-winning performance in the Commonwealth Games and the bronze medal in the last Asian Games, where she courted controversy by refusing to accept the medal (in protest against the result of her semifinal bout) and invited a one-year suspension.
The former World champion and multiple-time Asian champion bagged a 64kg bronze medal in the Asian championship in 2017 and won her 12th National title recently after returning to the 60kg bracket. Sarita is confident of qualifying for Tokyo.