Big day for Manipuris Mary Kom and Devendro

08 August,2012 10:46 AM IST |   |  Agencies

India's medal hopes are now pinned on diminutive Manipuri L Devendro Singh, who will clash with Ireland's Paddy Barnes in the quarter-final of the men's flyweight (49 kg) category at the ExCel Arena here today


MC Mary Kom, who also hails from the same state as Devendro, will look to create history by becoming the first Indian to reach the final of the boxing event of Olympic Games when she takes on Nicola Adams of Great Britain today.

The five-time world champion Mary has already assured a bronze medal for India, which means that the country has recorded its best-ever medal haul in the mega event.


MC Mary Kom. Pics/Getty Images

Women's boxing has been introduced for the first time in the Olympics and Mary, who has always taken part in the 48 kg category where she has excelled, had to increase her body weight to be eligible to take part in the 51 kg category in the Olympic Games.

The Indians have got tremendous support from the crowd here but it will be divided when Mary Kom takes on home-favourite Adams.


L Devendro Singh

Good show
Mary has had no major threat in her passage to the semi-final so far. She beat Karolina Michalczuk of Poland in the pre-quarter final with a 19-14 verdict and then prevailed of Maroua Rahali of Tunisia 16-5 in the quarter-finals to assure herself a bronze medal.

However, her biggest challenge will come when she faces the British boxer.

Watch this space!

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