Nikhat Zareen, Mary Kom, Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju, Boxing Federation of India
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Zareen had written a letter to Rijiju on Thursday (October 18), demanding that she be given a trial bout against Mary Kom before the Indian squad for next year's Olympic qualifiers in China is decided. Photo: Twitter

Mary Kom enters quarterfinals, Saweety Boora bows out of World C'ships

Indian ace boxer MC Mary Kom on Tuesday (October 8), entered into the quarter-finals of the World Boxing Championships after a hard-fought victory against Thailand's Jutamas Jitpong in Ulan-Ude (Russia).


Indian ace boxer MC Mary Kom on Tuesday (October 8), entered into the quarter-finals of the World Boxing Championships after a hard-fought victory against Thailand’s Jutamas Jitpong in Ulan-Ude (Russia).

The six-time champion triumphed 5-0 against the opponent who kept the veteran on her toes with an aggressive approach but just didn’t connect enough.

The third-seeded Indian, who got a bye in the opening round, spent the first three minutes getting a good measure of her opponent before taking control of the proceedings.

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Chasing her first world medal in the 51kg division, Mary Kom picked up pace in the second round and was especially sharp with her counter-attacks.

However, there was a disappointment for India when former silver-medallist Saweety Boora (75kg) lost her pre-quarterfinal bout in a split decision despite a valiant fight. Boora was up against second-seeded Welshwoman Lauren Price.

Price is a European Games gold-medallist and fetched a bronze in the last edition of the world showpiece. She is also the reigning Commonwealth Games champion, besides being a three-time bronze-medallist at the European Championships.

With a fancied opponent like Price, it was never going to be easy for the Indian but she put her best foot forward. Boora seemed unfazed by her rival’s reputation and managed to match her punch for the most part of the bout.

However, in the final analysis, the judges ruled 3-1 in Price’s favour.

(With inputs from agencies)

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