World Boxing Championships: Mary Kom eyes history

The atmosphere at the Indira Gandhi indoor stadium on Wednesday was difficult to explain. Last-minute preparations for the AIBA Women’s World Championships were in full swing and everyone seemed in a hurry. On the one hand, the venue was brimming with the kind of nervous energy that usually precedes big events. On the other, the pre-event controversies hung over it like thick winter smog, making the atmosphere a bit sombre.

The biggest news in the build-up to the event, that India is hosting after a gap of 12 years, should have been Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom aiming for a historic sixth gold medal; or some other upcoming boxers from all over the world trying to make their name. It was, however, the non-sports issues that made all the buzz.

Delhi’s polluted air has already hogged international headlines and could possibly have a serious impact on the capital’s image as the host of international sporting events. A denial of visa to Kosovo boxer Donjeta Sadiku for the event hasn’t gone down well with the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and it has the potential to jeopardise India’s bid for top international events in future.


But most critically, the International Boxing Association itself is facing an uncertain Olympic future in the aftermath of controversial Uzbek businessman Gafur Rakhimov’s election as the president.

2006 REPEAT? UNLIKELY
Now, it’s up to the boxers at the 10th edition of the championships, the biggest ever with more than 300 participants from 72 countries, to bring the focus back on the sport. The last time India hosted the event, in 2006, the country topped the table with eight medals — 4 gold, 1 silver, 3 bronze. But a repeat is unlikely.

“I expect at least three medals, including a gold. We will not be satisfied if we can’t achieve that. Anything more than 3 medals will be a bonus and great result for us,” Indian boxing’s high performance director Santiago Nieva said on Tuesday.

It may not come as a surprise, but the 35-year-old Mary Kom is still India’s biggest hope for a gold medal. She is tied with Katie Taylor on five gold medals and the Irish pugilist has turned pro.

“There are boxers who are still playing in my category since 2001. I know them very well. The new boxers are tougher and smarter, they are faster. I will use my experience. The past boxers are more or less the same, I know them,” Mary Kom said, expecting a difficult path to gold.