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Mary Kom to lead Indian challenge at World Championships

Four-time champion and Khel Ratna awardee M C Mary Kom will spearhead the 10-strong Indian challenge in the sixth AIBA World Women`s Boxing Championship to be held in Barbados next month.

New Delhi: Four-time champion and Khel Ratna awardee M C Mary Kom will spearhead the 10-strong Indian challenge in the sixth AIBA World Women`s Boxing Championship to be held in Barbados next month.
The 27-year-old mother of two will compete in the light fly weight 48kg category after winning four world titles in the pin weight 46kg division. The Manipuri, who has been dubbed `Magnificent Mary` by the International Boxing Association for her record feat, is also a brand ambassador for the Delhi Commonwealth Games in October. Mary Kom was the lone gold medallist for India at the previous edition of the event in Ningbo City, China, where India finished fifth overall with four medals, including a silver and two bronze.From the previous edition`s medallists, only Mary Kom and her state-mate and Arjuna awardee L Sarita Devi (51kg) have managed to make the team this time. An unprecedented of 306 boxers from 75 countries have registered for the September 9 to 19 Championships after women`s boxing got the International Olympic Committee and the Olympic Council of Asia`s nod for inclusion in the Guangzhou Asian Games this year and the London Olympics in 2012. Women`s boxing has been introduced in three weight categories (51kg, 60kg and 75kg) at the Asian and Olympic Games.The Indian Team: M C Marykom (48 kg), L Sarita Devi (51kg), Priyanka Choudhary (54kg), Pavitra (57kg), Neetu Chahal (60kg), Pratibha Jakhar (64kg), Kavita Goyat (69kg), Aswathy Mol (75kg), Laxmi Padiya (81kg), Kavita Chahal (+81kg). PTI