Mary Kom claims fourth World title

NINGBO CITY: Just four months of training after a two-year sabbatical may not be the ideal build-up for a World Championship but that is all MC Mary Kom needed as she clinched a historic fourth gold medal to become the most successful woman boxer in the world here on Saturday.

“I thank God and my husband for supporting me so much. I wasn’t confident going into the tournament. I was away from the ring for two years after my twins were born and trained for just four months before coming here,” Mary Kom, who competes in the 46kg category, said after her unprecedented feat at the fifth edition of the event.

“I lost in the finals of Asian Championship in September. I wasn’t upset but yes the confidence was slightly affected by that loss. I think my will power saw me through here. Besides things haven’t changed much in my weight category,” she added.

In a repeat of the previous World Championship in New Delhi, the Indian beat Romanian Steluta Duta 7-1 in the finals. The 25-year-old Manipuri dedicated the triumph to her little boys. “It’s difficult leaving them behind. They don’t talk at the moment but when they looked at me while leaving I knew they were wondering where mama is going,” she laughed.