Four-time world champion M.C. Mary Kom (46kg) will spearhead an 11-strong Indian challenge in the sixth Asian Women’s Boxing Championships starting in Astana, Kazakhstan, on Sunday.
Mary Kom, a Khel Ratna awardee, won a silver in the previous edition of the event held in September last year in Guwahati and the Manipuri is determined to clinch the gold this time as well.
“I will try my level best to get a gold this time. It begins our build up for the Asian Games where women’s boxing will make its debut in three weight categories,” Mary Kom said.
The May 23 to 31 tournament will feature close to 20 countries but Mary Kom said she is not intimidated by the draw.
“I am a four-time world champion so the question of worrying about the draw doesn’t arise. I will give my best and the rest is fate. Technically, I adjust myself according to the situation and the opponent,” she said.
Apart from Mary, the team also features some well-established names like reigning Asian champion and two-time world championships silver medallist N. Usha (60kg) and former world champion and Arjuna awardee L. Sarita Devi (51kg).