India’s MC Mary Kom has finally won the bout against age, fitness and Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota in the finals of World Championship 2018. The 35-year-old boxer became the most successful boxer in the world championship after defeating Okhota 5-0 in the 48 categories.
Mary Kom started off her international journey in Women’s World Amateur Boxing Championships, 2001, in the 48 KG category, where she lost the finals against Hulya Sahin and ended up winning the silver medal.
Since then, Mary Kom never looked back and reserved her final berth for six times and never lost. People wrote her a few years back, but she bounced back against all odds and proved that age is just a number for champions.
- Mary Kom won her first world championship title against Jang Song Ae under the pinweight category in 2002 in Antalya, Turkey
- Mary Kom won her second World Championship title against John Ok in the 46 KG category in Scranton, Pennsylvania, the United States in 2005
- Mary Kom won her third Women’s World Amateur Boxing Championships title against Steluta Duta in the 46 KG category in 2006 in New Delhi, India
- she won her AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships title against Steluta Duta in the 46 KG category in 2008 in Ningbo City, China
- she won the Women’s World Boxing Championship against Steluta Duta in the 48 KG category in Bridgetown, Barbados
- 8 years later, out of the blue, she Kom won her sixth World Championship title against Hana Okhota in the light flyweight category( 45-48 KG) in New Delhi, India
After winning the bout in a unanimous decision, she equaled the record with Felix Savon, who also won 6 gold medals at world boxing championships. After defeating China’s Wu Yu in the quarterfinals, Mary Kom locked the first medal for India in the world championship ( at least bronze medal), but gave India its first gold after a long wait.
When asked about her never say die attitude and queen of the ring performance in the finals. Mary Kom said “I am a little bit emotional today. There is no ( 48 KG) weight category in the Olympic games. Because of your love and support, I feel I will be able to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Four years ago, I was not able to qualify for Rio. I am still suffering from that”.
Mary Kom further stated “Thank You for your love and support. I don’t have anything to give except for Gold in the country. I know it will be difficult for me to win a Gold in Tokyo as I will have to fight in 51 kg.
Because of their reach, the tall boxers (who will be in 51 KG) will have an advantage. But I am still dreaming about winning the Gold in 2020 Olympics.”
In the end, Mary Kom thanked her coaches and support staff, who stood with her during the entire thick and thins. Mary Kom said, “I dedicate this gold to the nation and my countrymen.”
Also, Check:
