India’s Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte won the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 and 2018 and is the most successful and decorated women boxer in the world. She was appointed the Chairwoman of the new AIBA Champions and Veterans Committee at the beginning of March.
Mary Kom is India’s national boxing icon who returned to the competition at the Boxam Tournament in Spain after a year break caused by Covid-19 restrictions. She had the experience to beat her 17-years-younger Italian opponent, Giordana Sorrentino in the quarter-finals of the women’s flyweight (51kg) in Castellon de la Plana. However, in the semi-final, she was eliminated by the American women’s team leader of the weight class, Virginia Fuchs.
‘I haven’t had any fignt since the Asian & Oceanian Olympic Boxing Qualifying Event which took place in Amman in March 2020. I had many difficulties in the recent year, and the Covid-19 situation in India was also really bad.
It is amazing feeling to come back to the boxing events. I was so excited before the tournament in Spain. To be honest, I was so nervous before my first bout but my confidence returned in a couple of seconds when I entered the ring. At my first fight, we both had several mistakes, and I have to work hard to get it better and correct them.
I wish a AIBA President from Russia good luck in his work in the upcoming period. I have a personal message to the new AIBA management to continue the Gender Equality and the development of women’s boxing. Women boxing is strong, we are working hard every day and I hope we will get the full attention.
I am now the Chairwoman of the AIBA Champions and Veterans Committee and I am looking forward to serving boxing. I approved this new position with great honor as I have been serving boxing since my childhood. I tried to support my community in India and I hope I can do more in this new role,’ Mary Kom commented her success and her vision.
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