The Hindu : Sport / Boxing : Olympics beckons Indian women

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Friday, Aug 14, 2009
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Olympics beckons Indian women

Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI: The Indian boxing fraternity was overjoyed as women’s boxing was included in the 2012 London Olympics on Thursday.

International Olympic Committee (IOC) President Jaques Rogge announced in Berlin that boxing was no longer the only Olympic sport practised solely by men.

At the London Games, women will compete in three weight categories — flyweight (48-51kg), lightweight (56-60kg) and middleweight (69-75kg) — with 12 boxers taking part in each weight.

Welcoming the IOC’s decision to include women’s boxing in the Olympics, Indian Boxing Federation Secretary P.K. Muralidharan Raja said the country stood a good chance of winning a medal in London.

“It is great news and a historic day for boxing. Realistically, India has a chance to win medals. Let’s not take it for granted that we will win gold because the pressure of Olympics is different,” Raja told The Hindu.

Speaking on Indian boxers’ ability, Raja said, “Our girls are up to the mark. Plus a lot of talented boxers are coming up,” he said.

Raja hoped that henceforth women’s boxing would get more attention in India. “It is not easy to get medals at the Olympics as the preparation for it is completely different. Hopefully, our girls will get all the facilities to succeed there,” he said.

Four-time world champion M.C. Mary Kom was over the moon after hearing the news. “Inclusion of women’s boxing in the Olympics has brought more happiness to me than the Khel Ratna award. It is a big encouragement. Now I can realise my dream of participating in the Olympics,” she said.

Mary Kom, a 46 kg boxer, admitted that it would be tough for her to fight in the Olympics. “My weight category is not there in the Olympics. So, I have to work hard to participate in a higher weight class,” said the 26–year-old.

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