Asian Games: All Indian women boxers romp into semi-finals

Mary Kom (red) throws a punch

The Indian women boxers continued their impressive run with the troika of MC Mary Kom, L Sarita Devi and Pooja Rani romping into the semifinals of their respective weight categories at the Seonhak Gymnasium on Sunday.

The women pugilists made it a Super Sunday in front of vociferous Indian fans, who kept rooting for them. 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist and five time world champion MC Mary Kom put it across China’s Si Haijuan in the quarterfinals of the women’s flyweight category (48-kg).

Mary’s state mate from Manipur L Sarita Devi was equally impressive in her quarterfinal bout against Mongolia’s Oyungerel Suvd Erdene in the lightweight category (57-60-kg). Pooja Rani became the third Indian boxer to reach the semifinals pipping Chinese Taipei’s Shen Dara Flora in the quarterfinals.

As far as the semifinals are concerned, MC Mary Kom faces Vietnam’s Le Thi Bang, while L Sarita Devi will be up against Park Jina of Korea. Pooja Rana will lock hrons with China’s Li Qian.

As many as five Indian men boxers are already in the quarterfinals – Laishram Devendro Singh, Shiva Thapa, Gautam Bhiduri, Mandeep Jangra and Kuldeep. Two boxers – Vikas Krishnan and Satish are yet to launch their campaigns in Incheon.

Indian boxers will be looking to put on a stellar performance after capping a splendid effort at the 2014 Glasgow Commonwealth Games, where they won five medals including four silver medals and a bronze – they created history as for the first time four Indians reached the final of the Commonwealth Games.