Manju Rani, Jamuna Boro assure two more medals in World Championship

In a scintillating exhibition of speed and aggression, sixth seed Manju Rani (48 kg) stunned top seed Kim Hyang Mi of North Korea 4-1 to reach the semi-finals and assure India a medal in the World Boxing Championship in Russia. The performance was all the more praiseworthy considering that it was her debut World Championship where she saw off stiff resistance from a seasoned campaigner like Kim who was participating in her fourth World Championship.

"I just can't believe what I have done today. I am very very happy. I have nothing to lose and will give my best shot in the semi finals on Saturday," Manju said after her victory.

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In the other quarter-finals, Jamuna Boro won her quarter-finals 4-1 and ensured a third medal for India. Lovlina will be next in action shortly.  

"It was a tough fight and I relied on my experience to win the quarter-finals," Jamuna said.

Earlier, MC Mary Kom (51 kg) assured herself at least a bronze in the ongoing Championship clinched her 8th World medal including 6 gold and have become the most successful woman boxer in the world ever. 

"I am very happy to reach the semi-final and assuring myself and the country a medal but I want to win the semi-final and finals and get a higher medal. I aim to win a gold at this World Championship again," Mary Kom said after winning her bout.

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Mary Kom secures her eighth medal at World C'ship

There are many records and firsts to her credit to the 36-year-old champion boxer, proving from time to time that age and motherhood are no bars. Padma Bhushan and Khel Ratna awardee Mary Kom had become the first Indian woman to win a medal in the London Olympics in 2012 (along with Saina Nehwal in badminton).Mary Kom secured her eighth medal at the 2019 World Championships - to become the most successful women boxer in the world. Mary Kom won her first silver medal in the year 2001 at the World Championships in the USA followed by a gold medal in Turkey in 2002. 'Magnificent' Mary Kom then went on to win two gold medals in two consecutive years in 2005 and 2006 and she added another gold to her tally in 2010. Mary Kom's last gold medal came in 2018 as she won the finals of the World Championship in India. With a victory in the quarter-finals of the World Championship in 2019, Mary Kom has now assured India a medal and another addition to her closet studded with records.  She had won a gold in 2014 Asian Games in Incheon a bronze in Guangzhou in 2010 and as many as five gold medals and silver in Asian Boxing Championship. Mary Kom also won the gold medal in the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast. 

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