Thaindian News

New Delhi, Aug 16 (IANS) Four-time world champion MC Mary Kom will spearhead India’s campaign in the World Women’s boxing championships at Bridgetown, Barbados from Sep 9.

A 10-member Indian team was announced by the Indian Boxing Federation here Monday.

Mary Kom, a mother of two, came back from a two-year sabbatical to clinch her fourth successive world title in 2008 in Ningbo City, China.

Before that she won her first world title in 2002 in Antalya, Turkey and went on to successfully defend her 46-kg gold medal in the next two editions in Podolsk, Russia and at home here.

She will be competing in the light fly weight (48kg) category after winning all the four previous world titles in the 46kg division.

Mary Kom, 27, was the only gold medallist for India at the previous edition.

India were the champions at home in 2006 winning eight medals, that included four gold. But India finished fourth in 2008 with one gold, one silver and two bronze.

In this year’s championships, the number of participants has increased by more than 50 per cent compared with the 2008 edition, even though the number of weight categories has since been reduced from 13 to 10.

The competition this time will be extremely tough as all boxing nations are preparing for the London Olympics in 2012 where women’s boxing has been introduced for the first time in three weight categories (51 kgs, 60 kgs & 75 kgs). The Asian Games at Guangzhou, China in November this year will also feature women’s boxing in the above mentioned weight categories.

The Indian team will leave Delhi for Barbados on Sep 5.

Indian team: MC Marykom (48 kg), L Sarita Devi (51 kg), Priyanka Choudhary (54 kg), Pavitra (57 kg), Neetu Chahal (60 kg), Pratibha Jakhar (64 kg), Kavita Goyat (69 kg), Aswathy Mol (75 kg), Laxmi Padiya (81 kg), Kavita Chahal (+81 kgs).