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World Boxing Championship, Highlights: Mary Kom clinches historic sixth gold medal - As It Happened
As It Happened: Mary thumped Okhota by unanimous decision verdict to win the title for an unprecedented sixth time. Cheered on by the partisan fans in the capital, Mary blew away her Ukrainian counterpart in three rounds to take the crown.Follow Mary Kom vs Hanna Okhota highlights, below -
16:38 hrs IST
Stunning Six for Mary
This is now the sixth time that Mary Kom has won the title, the most in the history of the championship - 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2018.
16:32 hrs IST
Mary on her Olympics dream
“I want to win a gold medal for the nation at the Olympics. I have a medal (at the Olympics) but i want a gold for the country.”
16:28 hrs IST
Mary Kom after her emphatic win
An emotional Mary Kom says: “I want to that the fans who turned up today to cheer me and the Indian contingent. They have been supporting me for the last many years.”
16:26 hrs IST
Third round ends, Mary Kom wins
Mary Kom’s best game came to the fore in the third round and she has been adjudged the winner of the bout by unanimous verdict. Mary Kom has now clinched the world title for a record 6th time. Her first title win after 2010.
16:22 hrs IST
Second round ends
Mary Kom seems to be just three minutes away from history as she ends the second round on a good note. Her Ukrainian opponent was on the back-foot for most parts of the round and couldn’t connect with the punches properly.
16:19 hrs IST
Second round begins
Mary Kom is using all her experience and not letting the opponent get close to her and that is helping the Indian star stay away from the punches. The best part about Mary’s style is that whenever she is being overwhelmed, she moves away from the opponent.
16:17 hrs IST
First round ends
It was good first round for Mary Kom as she seemed to enjoy the upper hand. But still it remains to be seen how she will come out to fight in the second round. For most parts of the round, Mary was trying to gain momentum by attacking the Okhota but her Ukrainian opponent was also up for it.
16:14 hrs IST
Bout begins
Mary Kom throws some early punches at her opponent to begin the proceedings. Mary remains calm as her opponent tries to hit her. Good start for the Indian pugilist.
16:10 hrs IST
Athletes making their way into the ring
Mary Kom is now entering the ring amidst huge roar from the crowd at the IG Stadium. She is the heavy favorite to clinch the title but one must not underestimate the might of Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota. The last time Mary Kom fought in this competition at home, she clinched the gold in 2006. Can she do the same today remains to be seen?
16:00 hrs IST
Bout about to begin
So we are about to get underway as Mary Kom can be seen warming up. Get ready folks for this blockbuster clash as Mary Kom eyes her historic sixth title at the World Championships.
15:52 hrs IST
Mary’s previous title wins at World Championships
Mary had clinched the gold medal on five occasions -- 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 -- besides bagging a silver on her debut in 2001. She has already secured a silver but Mary will definitely go for gold today.
15:45 hrs IST
Mary eyes historic record
Having already secured her seventh medal at the World Championships, the most in the history of the competition, Mary Kom would be looking to win her sixth gold when she faces the Ukrainian, who defeated Madoka Wada of Japan by unanimous verdict. At present, Mary and Katie Taylor of Ireland have both five titles each but the Indian will have the opportunity to be in a league of her own.
15:38 hrs IST
Road to final
Mary Kom stormed into the final of the 48 kg category after beating North Korea’s Kim Hyang-Mi with a tactically brilliant performance in the semi-final. Outdone by her opponent’s reach and bigger physical presence, the experienced boxer showed great dexterity as she moved quickly on her feet and avoided a flurry of punches from her opponent to keep scoring points.
15:30 hrs IST
Hello and welcome
A very warm welcome to the live blog of the World Boxing Championships 2018 Final. India’s Mary Kom takes on Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota in the 48 kg category of the tournament. The bout will take place at the KD Jadhav Indoor Hall at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi.
