09 August,2012 07:46 AM IST | | Agencies
India's MC Mary Kom created history yesterday by becoming the country's first woman boxer to win a medal at the Olympics.
Mary Kom, however, had to settle for the bronze as she went down fighting in her 51kg semi-final bout against local favourite Nicola Adams.
The 29-year-old Manipuri also became the second Indian boxer after Vijender Singh to win an Olympic medal.
A disappointed MC Mary Kom after losing in the 51 kg quarter-finals to Great Britain's Nicola Adams yesterday.u00a0Pic/AFP
From the start of the bout, Mary Kom struggled to cope up with the Briton's speed. She came under pressure in the first round, having to fend off Nicola's powerful punches.
A couple of times the 29-year-old Indian, a mother of twins, was pinned in the corner and took some major blows, losing the first round 1-3.
The second round was closer as both boxers tried to assert their dominance. However, the five-time World Champion found it difficult to get her way around her quick opponent, who narrowly edged the round 2-1.
The Manipuri stuck it out in the third round before losing it by a whisker.
The final round went pretty much in similar fashion as Mary Kom found it hard to cope with Nicola's superior size. With time running out, the Indian went hell for leather but fell short and lost the round 2-3.
The Indian shared the bronze with US's Marlen Esparza.
Mary Kom said she was satisfied with her effort at the London Games.
"It has been a tough journey. I carried on with the support of family and friends. I want to continue playing the game. Despite the loss today, I am satisfied with the way I performed," said Mary Kom
"My whole country was hoping for me to win a gold medal, and I am sorry I have not come back with that," she added.
