With 8th world medal, magnificent Mary Kom surpasses herself as the most successful boxer

M C Mary Kom (51kg) on Thursday assured herself an unprecedented eighth medal at the World Women's Boxing Championship after advancing to the semifinals of the event.

Mary Kom defeated a spirited rival in Colombia’s Valencia Victoria. (Source: Twitter)

Six-time champion M C Mary Kom (51kg) surpassed herself as the most successful boxer in the history of the Women’s World Championship, securing an unprecedented eighth medal by advancing to the semifinals in Russia on Thursday.

The third-seeded Indian boxer defeated a spirited rival in Colombia’s Valencia Victoria, fetching a unanimous 5-0 verdict to make the last-four stage.

“I am very happy to have secured a medal but I would be looking to make it better by reaching the finals,” the 36-year-old star said after the bout. “It was a good bout for me and I will now try to improve on this performance in the semifinals,” she added.

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Awaiting her in the semifinals on Saturday, after a rest day on Friday, is second-seeded Turk Busenaz Cakiroglu, who is the reigning European Championships and European Games gold-medallist. Cakiroglu defeated China’s Cai Zongju in her quarterfinal bout.

History Scripted!💪

India’s @MangteC becomes 1st and only boxer to win 8⃣ medals in #aibaworldboxingchampionships since its inception, aims 7th Gold as she cruise past her 🇨🇴opponent to reach the Semis. 👏

Way to go as 🇮🇳 assures first medal#GoforGold #PunchMeinHaiDum #boxing pic.twitter.com/VXI883zs96

— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) October 10, 2019

In a tactful performance, Mary Kom waited for her chances and defended sharply to ensure that Victoria’s plan to impress the judges by throwing in more punches didn’t yield results.

The Indian’s huge reservoir of experience came in handy as she swung her right arm masterfully to connect well-placed hooks. Her straight punches were as effective and regularly pierced through Victoria’s reasonably strong defence.

With this, Mary Kom bettered her own record as the most successful boxer in the history of the marquee tournament.
The Manipuri, in terms of number of medals won, is in fact numero uno cutting across both the men’s and women’s competitions.
Cuban icon Felix Savon is the most successful in the men’s event with seven medals — six gold and a silver.

Entering into this edition, Mary Kom had six gold and a silver in her kitty but this is the first time, she has secured a world medal in the 51kg category. She had finished a quarterfinalist in this division in the past. The latest achievement has only added to her ever-growing legend.

The legend that just goes on and on and on 👏👏👏🥊🇮🇳 8th AIBA World Championship medal assured for @MangteC and more importantly first ever one in 51kg weight category. She beats Rio Olympic bronze medalist Ingrit Valencia 5-0 in the QF of the 51kg category in Russia

— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) October 10, 2019

Besides six world titles, Mary Kom’s incredible career is also studded with an Olympic bronze medal (2012), five Asian titles, gold medals at the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games, besides numerous other international top finishes. This year alone, she won gold medals at the India Open in Guwahati and President’s Cup in Indonesia.