Mary Kom shines as India loses team title at World Championship

Ningbo City, China, Nov 29 (UNI) Star pugilist M C Mary Kom (46kg) claimed an unprecedented fourth successive gold medal even as India failed to retain its team title at the fifth World Women's Boxing Championship here today.

India thus finished the tournament with a total haul of four medals - one gold, a silver and two bronze.

In a repeat of the final of the previous edition two years ago, Mary Kom faced Romania's Steluta Duta in the clash for the title.

And the gutsy 25-year-old from Manipur made no mistake this time also, thrashing her rival 7-1 to clinch India's only gold medal at the event.

N Usha (57kg) was the only other boxer from among the seven-member Indian squad, who had managed to reach the final in her event.

However, she had to be content with a silver for the second successive time, losing 1-6 to Qin Jian of China.

Chhoto Laura (50kg) and L Sarita Devi (52kg), who lost in the semifinals of their respective categories yesterday, bagged a couple of bronze medals.

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