New Delhi: Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh lauded Mary Kom and the entire Indian boxing contingent for their solid show at the Asian Boxing Championships here on Wednesday.
Mary – the star Indian boxer and Olympic medallist – stormed her way to her fifth gold at the event and her first in the 48 kg weight category after she outpunched her North Korean opponent Kim Hyang Mi 5-0 in the final.
Read: Asian Boxing Championships: MC Mary Kom wins 5th gold, 1st in 48kg
India won seven medals at the event – Mary Kom’s gold, Sonia Lather’s silver in 57 kg weight category and 5 bronze medals.
L Sarita Devi, former world champion, had to settle for bronze in the 64kg category, while Priyanka Chaudhary took home bronze in the 60kg weight category after losing her semifinal bout. Lovlina Borgohain – 69kg weight category, Seema Punia - in the plus 81kg category and Shiksha in the 54kg category were the other bronze medallists.
“I congratulate the entire Indian team for their performance in the Championship. Of the 10 boxers who participated, seven will return with medals. This is a testament to all the hard work that the boxers and coaches are putting in to ensure that India becomes a boxing power in the near future,” said Ajay Singh.
He reserved some special praise for Mary Kom.
“Mary Kom's gold at the Asian Boxing Championship is a huge victory for India's women power. At 34, this mother of three has shown that with grit and determination you can overcome seemingly insurmountable odds,” added the BFI president.
“Mary Kom is a huge inspiration for all Indians and we are proud of her victory today,” concluded Ajay Singh.
