Asian Boxing Championship: Mary Kom storms into semis

India's Mary Kom defeated Chinese Taipei's Meng-Chieh Pin to cruise into the semifinal of the Asian Women's Boxing Championships in the 48 kg category.

Published : Nov 04, 2017 12:59 IST , Ho Chi Minh City (Vietnam)

Having reached the semifinal, Mary Kom is only one bout away from securing a medal in the 48kg category.
Having reached the semifinal, Mary Kom is only one bout away from securing a medal in the 48kg category.
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Having reached the semifinal, Mary Kom is only one bout away from securing a medal in the 48kg category.

Ace Indian pugilist  M. C .Mary Kom was assured of her sixth medal at the Asian women's Boxing Championships after she advanced to the semifinals of the continental showpiece event on Saturday.

Mary Kom defeated Chinese Taipei's Meng-Chieh Pin in a split verdict in the quarterfinals to make the last four stage of the light flyweight (48kg) category.

The Olympic bronze medallist had earlier beat local boxer Diem Thi Trinh Kieu in the quarterfinal .

The 34-year-old, who has won four gold, a silver in her five previous appearances at the event, will face Japan's Tsubasa Komura in the semifinals.

In a rather cautiously-fought bout, neither the Indian,  nor her opponent was willing to launch too many attacks. The punches were few and far between at least in the opening three minutes. However, the two boxers upped the intensity in the second round.

The Taipei boxer, also the taller of the two pugilists, was the first to move away from the waiting game and began using her left straights and right hooks rather effectively.

READ: Asian Boxing Championship: Neeraj, Sonia reach quarters

However, Mary Kom too raised her game against the nimble-footed Pin, who displayed impressive defensive tactics. The Manipuri went all out in the last round and more than made up for a patchy display in the opening round to get the judges' nod.

Shiksha makes semis

Later in the day, Shiksha put up an all-attacking performance to go past Ferangiz Khoshimova of Uzbekistan and reach the semis of the 54kg category.

Priyanka follows suit

Priyanka Choudhary moved into a medal contending position as she got the better of Sri Lanka's Dulanjani Lakapurayalage in the 60kg category to move into the semifinals.

Saweety Bora loses

Saweety Bora lost to Qian Li of China in the quarterfinal of the 75kg weight category.

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