(Image source from: newsonair.com)
M C Mary Kom(51 kg) who has been a world champion for six times and Amit Panghal(52 kg) who is the number one in the world have been among the three boxers of India who has secured the Olympic berths by advancing to the semifinals of the Asian Qualifiers on Monday and has taken the total number being eight regarding the Tokyo- bound pugilists of the country.
A comfortable 5-0 win has been notched by the second- seeded Mary Kom over the Irish Magno of Philippines in her quarterfinal bout for a ticket to the Olympic Games for the second time. She has won a bronze in the London Olympics in the year 2012 when the women’s boxing has been first introduced at the showpiece.
The 37 year old Mary Kom would be squaring off against Yuang Chang of China in the semifinals. Yuang Chang of China is a former champion of the Youth Olympics.
CLASS ACT!@MangteC shows the world how to win a bout as she booked her ticket for the second Olympic Games and stormed into the semis with a classic display of counter boxing against IMagno of . She becomes the 7⃣to book quota for #Tokyo2020. Congrats Champ. #boxing pic.twitter.com/JDIpACihbj
— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) March 9, 2020
Earlier, Amit Panghal who is the world silver medalist and top seeded has edged out Carlo Paalam of Philippines who is the familiar foe, in the 4-1 split verdict for being assured of his maiden appearance in the Olympics and also a medal at the qualifiers.
In the last bout of India in the day, Simranjit Kaur (60 kg) who is the bronze medallist of the world has upstaged the second seed Namuun Monkhor of Mongolia 5-0 in order to secure the place in the Olympics for the first time.
The number of the Indian boxers securing the Olympic berths have been increased to being eight in number with the others being Satish Kumar (+91kg), Pooja Rani (75kg), Vikas Krishan (69kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) and Ashish Kumar (75 kg) advanced to the semifinals on Sunday.
Manish Kaushik who is the world bronze- winner and the silver medallist in the Commonwealth Games has lost 2-3 to the third seed Chinzorig Baatarsukh of Mongolia after an intense battle but however is not out of contention for an Olympic berth just yet.
Manish Kaushik has to win the box- off between losing the quarterfinals as the Tokyo tickets in the category of 63 kg would be claimed by the top six boxers. It is said that Kaushik would be facing Harrison Garside who is the champion of the Commonwealth Games of Australia, in the box- off.
Amit Panghal has started India’s winning run on Monday as he had managed to pull off a near win. Mary Kom has put out a performance that was near to perfect, against Magno. Simranjjit who is also an Asian silver medallist would be facing the third seed Shih- Yi Wu of Taiwan in the semi finals after making a fine performance against Monkhor.
By Shrithika Kushangi
