Asian Games: Magnificent Mary Kom packs a golden punch

Incheon: M C Mary Kom on Wednesday became the first Indian woman boxer to clinch a gold medal at the Asian Games after she came from behind to beat Kazakhstan's Zhaina Shekerbekova in the flyweight (51kg) summit clash here.

The lone Indian boxer in action on Wednesday, Mary Kom defeated Shekerbekova 2-0 in a evenly-contested battle in which the Kazakh had the initial advantage. The five-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist, who had won a bronze when women boxers made their debut at the 2010 Asiad, shifted gears with ease to come out triumphant in the final analysis.

Seemingly vary of her rival in the opening round, Mary Kom preferred to keep a distance and invited Shekerbekova to launch the first attack. The Kazakh, however, did not fall for the bait and back-peddled smoothly to outwit the Indian in the opening two minutes.

However, never the one to give up easily, Mary Kom reworked strategy and stunned Shekerbekova with her aggression in the second round. Combining her hooks with uppercuts to Shekerbekova's torso, Mary Kom drew level albeit on a split decision.

The Manipuri mother-of-three, who has been christened 'Magnificent Mary' by the International Boxing Association for her unprecedented feats, began to dominate in the third round and dictated the pace of the proceedings. Shekerbekova could not come to grips with the tactical shift in Mary Kom's game and could only respond by holding her opponent frequently, for which the referee cautioned her.

Very happy to win my first gold at Asian Games:

"I am very happy to win my first gold medal in these (multi-discipline) Games. I have won a bronze in the last Asian Games, a bronze in the Olympics and now the gold. I have sacrificed my family life, left my kids behind and worked very hard," Mary Kom said after the bout.

"I was always sure of the gold thanks to the support of my countrymen. After three kids I am an Asian Games champion. Thank you so much," said the beaming boxer at a media conference.

Mary Kom also said that the controversial loss she suffered to Pinky Jhangra in the trials to pick the team for the Glasgow Commonwealth Games acted as extra motivation for her.

"I don't think it was a free and fair trial. That gave me more motivation to prove myself and I did. I worked double hard to achieve this. Now I am happy to give the gold for my country," Mary Kom said.

About the bout she said it was even-stevens to start with as the Kazakh fighter was a very good opponent.

"In the first two rounds I could not catch her up. She was very fast and very strong. But in the third and fourth I caught up and it was easier to connect my punches," said Mary.

"I will prepare for the World Championships (in November in Korea) and try and qualify for the Rio Olympic Games," she added.

Twitteratis pour in with congratulatory messages:

Priyanka Chopra, who played Mary Kom in the movie with same title, was quick to congratulate the Indian boxer.