The Hindu : Sport / Boxing : No stopping Mary Kom

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Monday, Sep 20, 2010
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No stopping Mary Kom

She wins her fifth successive World crown

— FILE PHOTO

TRULY GREAT:M.C.Mary Kom once again proved she is one of India's best sportspersons by winning her fifth World boxing crown on Saturday.

NEW DELHI: M.C. Mary Kom maintained her juggernaut in the women's World boxing championship as she clinched her fifth successive title by beating Romania's Steluta Duta convincingly for the third time in a row at the Sir Garfield Sobers Sports Complex in Bridgetown (Barbados) on Saturday.

Twenty-seven-year old Mary Kom — who had overcome Sweden's Natalie Lungo (10-1), Australian Jenny Smith (RSC-OC R1), Wales's Lynsey Holdaway (9-2) and Philippine boxer Alice Appari (8-1) on her way to the final — defeated Steluta 16-6 in the 48kg title clash.

Mary Kom had won her previous titles in 46kg weight category in 2002, 2005, 2006 and 2008.

After the shuffling in the weights (following the inclusion of women's boxing in the London Olympics), the number of categories had been reduced from 11 to 10 doing away with the 46kg class.

In the inaugural edition of the event in 2001, Mary Kom had won a silver medal in the 48kg category. After winning her fifth consecutive World crown, Mary, the mother of twin boys, was overjoyed.

“I would like to thank my husband and my sponsor for giving me the will power and encouraging me. I am really happy and I thank God,” she was quoted as saying in the International Boxing Association (AIBA) website.

Thousands of miles away in Imphal, Mary Kom's husband Onler Kom had been tracking her progress in the World championship final on the internet.

“I was watching the live scores on the net. Along with me, all the trainees of Mary's academy were up till late in the night to know the result. We celebrated after her victory,” Onler told The Hindu on Sunday.

He was on his way to Delhi to welcome Mary on her arrival from Barbados.

Gill congratulates

Union Sports Minister M.S. Gill congratulated Mary Kom on her unprecedented success. “I am delighted that Mary Kom has won the title fifth time in a row. She has an exceptional record. She is the best,” Mr. Gill said.

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