Shillong: MC Mary Kom and Pooja Rani knocked out their respective opponents while L Sarita Devi survived a scare as India grabbed all the three gold medals on offer in women’s boxing for an overall clean-sweep of top honours in the 12th South Asian Games here Tuesday.
On a comeback trail after recovering from a shoulder injury, Mary Kom (51kg) packed a powerful punch against her seasoned Sri Lankan rival Anusha Kodituwakku Dilrukshi to be adjudged winner via TKO in a bout lasting less than 90 seconds.
With Mary landing some powerful blows, Anusha lost her balance and injured her right knee. This forced her to take a medical break before attempting a comeback. However, a booming jab from the five-time World Champion sent her almost out of the ring before the referee intervened to stop the fight.
The atmosphere was electrifying at the North Eastern Hill University in the outskirts of the city with the SAI Complex, which has a seating capacity of only 500, filled to the brim.
Asked about her opponent who had challenged her before the bout, Mary Kom said, “I’m so happy when anyone challenges me, I don’t comment before the bout. But deep inside, I become very positive and ruthless.”
After Mary had given the rousing start, Incheon Asian Games bronze-medallist Pooja signed off the campaign in style in the 75kg when she overwhelmed Nilanthi Andaraweer by a TKO in a bout lasting only one round.
The only scare India endured was when Sarita Devi faced a stiff challenge from another Lankan opponent in M Vidushika Prabadhi.
Sarita overwhelmed the Lankan in the first two rounds but her opponent came back strongly in the third round with some powerful blows leading to Sarita falling twice before the Indian won by a narrow 39-36 margin to be adjudged unanimous
winner 3-0.