The Hindu : Sport / Boxing : World women's championship from today

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Saturday, Nov 18, 2006
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World women's championship from today

Principal Correspondent

NEW DELHI: Women boxers from around the world on Friday set in motion the process of getting Olympics recognition for the sport.

As the capital readied itself to host the World women's boxing championship at the NDMC Indoor Stadium, there was an echo from the entire fraternity to include women in the Olympic programme.

"Women's boxing is a reality and to enter it in the Olympic programme is the ultimate goal," said Caner Dognelli, the Secretary-General of the international federation (AIBA).

Having already lost time for the 2008 Beijing Olympics, the AIBA is now using this World championship as the springboard for the 2012 Games in London.

Previous champions

Eleven champions from the previous edition are here to show their prowess with the Russians looking stronger than ever.

Russia's Elena Karpacheva (57kg) and Sweden's Anna Laurell (75kg) are the absentees for contrasting reasons, but the fourth edition is already the biggest ever in terms of participation and number of countries entered in. Elena was ousted by her namesake, Elena Gorshkova, while Anna has been diagnosed with a mystery disease that has almost ruled her out of the sport.

In the given scenario, Indian boxers have set their sights on at least two gold medals, one better than the last time when M. C. Marykom won the only yellow metal.

Best bet

The two-time world champion, Mary Kom, is still the best bet in the 46kg class but North Korea's Jong Ok and Romania's Steluta Duta will be on the hunt, not to forget Svetlana Gnevanova of Russia.

"I am confident of winning the medal but everything will depend on how the preliminary rounds go," said Marykom on the eve of the championship. "The girl from North Korea is very strong, but since I have beaten her in the Asian championship I hope to be one up if we meet again here," she added.

India's other chance will be in the 52kg category with L. Sarita Devi in the fray. The defending world champion, Sofia Ochigava, of Russia has moved up to the 54kg section and hence this weight class is now open.

"We have prepared Sarita in that respect and she should be able to overcome the Turkish silver medallist, Kaya Sumeyra," said the Indian coach Anu Kumar.

As many as 31countries have arrived with Poland expected to arrive on Thursday morning. Russia, China, Ukraine and host India have a full field of 13 boxers while Turkey (12), Canada (11) and the United States (9) are the others with bigger contingents. What makes it special is that countries such as Ireland, Israel, Norway and the Netherlands have entered with just one boxer, coming all the way down here.

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