Mary Kom's class and experience held her in good stead in her opening bout against Algerim Kassanayeva and enabled the iconic boxer to successfully begin her quest for a sixth World title here on Sunday.
Mary's 5-0 victory over the Kazakh took the centre stage on a day where three other Indians – Manisha Moun (54kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) and Bhagyabati Kachari (81kg) – also recorded wins to reach the quarterfinals of the World women's boxing championships at the Indira Gandhi Stadium Complex here.
AS IT HAPPENED: Mary vs Algerim; Sarita vs Harrington
Sarita Devi (60kg) fought bravely before losing a closely-fought pre-quarterfinal bout, which included the Indian's knockdown in the third round, to 2016 Worlds silver medallist in 64kg Kellie Harrington 3-2. Post the bout, Sarita said she wasn't happy with the decision.
In front of an ecstatic home crowd, Mary, who had a first round bye, resorted to a cautious approach in the first round. The 35-year-old had her guard up with and stayed agile, latching onto opportunities to deliver a right-left combination and then a beautiful straight in the second round.
Even as the Kazakh tried to deploy holding tactics, Mary remained calm to secure a place in the last-eight stage of 48kg category.
“The pressure of expectation was there but I was energised by people's support,” said Mary, who faces Chinese Yu Wu in the next round. Yu tamed Philippines' Josie Gabuco 5-0.
Manisha stunned World champion Dina Zholaman for the second time in two months. Having faced the Kazakh in the Silesian championships in Poland, the 20-year-old used her long reach and excellent footwork to stay in control and deliver fine punches.
When Dina tried to up the ante, Manisha's evasive techniques and counter-attacks worked to fetch her a 5-0 win. Manisha will meet Worlds silver medallist and top seed Bulgarian Stoyka Petrova, who beat Uzbek Tursunov Rakhimova 4-1.
Asian championships bronze medallist, Lovlina beat 2014 World champion Atheyna Bylon 5-0. Employing her back and forth movement, Lovlina not only landed punches on target but also saved herself from the wild blows of the Panamanian, who tried to ruffle the youngster.
“My fitness helped me in such a duel,” said Lovlina, who will next clash against Aussie Kaye Scott. Kaye went past Kazakh Akerke Bakhytzhan 5-0.
National champion Bhagyabati Kachari banked on her quick combinations to make up for her lack of footwork as she defeated German boxer Irina-Nicoletta Schonberger 4-1 in first round. Bhagyabati's next faces Columbian Jessica Sinisterra, who beat Anastasiia Chernokolenko 5-0, next.
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