India still look up to Mary Kom

The fivetime champion boxer still packs a punch at age of 35 and remains an inspiration

platform than the worlds at home.

Indian boxers will compete in all 10 categories. The experience of Mary Kom and L Sarita Devi, another stalwart who also won gold in 2006, will come in handy. It is also an opportunity for youngsters like Manisha Moun (54kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) to test themselves against the toughest in world boxing.

India’s Italian coach Raffaele Bergamasco, who has been with the team since December 2017, is confident. “We’ve had very good training and sparring against foreign boxers and we are well prepared. We look forward to a few medals. It’s not only Mary and Sarita but Manisha, Simranjit in 64, and Lovlina --- medals are possible.

“It is the best field in the last three editions. There are big names, 72 countries, 315 girls, all categories are very strong. Nothing will come easy.”

The three Olympic categories -- 51kg, 60kg and 75kg -- will be hard fought. AIBA is set to add 57kg and 69kg also for Tokyo.

“I have two years in India but I am happy the girls are improving. They are stronger now and working on a new methodology.”

22

MOST SUCCESSFUL BOXERS

Mary Kom (India)

Gold:

Silver:

1

Katie Taylor (Ireland) Gold:

Bronze:

1

5

5

SARITA DEVI (60KG)

World Championships gold medallist 2006 Sarita’s quest to win an Olympic medal keeps her going. Competing in 60kg which is an Olympic category, Sarita’s task will be cut out against some top names in the world. She recently won a bronze at Silesian Open and would be pumped up to compete at home.

MANISHA MOUN (54KG)

Rising star

The 20-year-old from Haryana is highly rated by foreign coach Raffaele Bergamasco. Having started boxing in 2012, Manisha has quickly risen at domestic level and shown her class in international stage too winning a silver at 13th Silesian Open in Poland. This will be her big test.

MARY KOM (48KG)

London Olympics bronze medallist

World Championships gold medallist (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010) Competed in the first Worlds in 2001 and is still going strong. She won gold when the world meet was held at home in 2006 and this could be her last one. The best part is she will be fighting in her favourite class --48kg.

MIRA POTKONEN (FINLAND)

Rio Olympics bronze medallist, 60kg

She became the first female boxer from Finland to compete at Olympics and return with bronze. A mother of two, Mira is remembered for beating five-time world champion and London Olympic gold medallist Katie Taylor at Rio. She is 37 but is one of the strongest competitors.

ANASTASIIA BELIAKOVA (RUSSIA)

Rio Olympics bronze medallist, 60kg Russia’s Anastasiia Beliakova was unfortunate to retire in Rio Olympics semi-finals against France’s champion Estelle Mossely because of a hand injury. She has been in good form this year and won bronze at the Stranjda Tournament in Bulgaria.

NOUCHKA FONTTIJN (NETHERLANDS)

Rio Olympics silver medallist, 75kg Nouchka Fonttijn has remained in the shadows of two-time Olympic champion Claressa Shields, losing to her in the final of 2016 Worlds and at Rio Olympics. Shields has moved to pro-boxing and Nouchka will grab the chance.