Tokyo: Six-time world champ India’s Mary Kom began her quest for a Tokyo Olympics gold with a stunning 4-1 win over Miguelina Hernandez Garcia of the Dominican Republic by a split decision in the women’s 51kg event on Sunday. Mary Kom will face third-seeded Colombia’s Victoria Valencia in the Round of 16 on July 29.
Meanwhile, playing his maiden Olympics, Manish Kaushik put up a great fight but fell short 1-4 against United Kingdom’s Luke McCormack in the 63 kg to bow out of the competition. Earlier on Saturday, Vikas Krishan also made his way out from the Tokyo Olympics.
Touted as one of the favourites to win a medal for India, Mary Kom started with a flurry of punches in the opening round. Garcia, who is 15 years younger than her Indian opponent, countered with her own array of shots turning the match into a fascinating encounter.
Mary Kom announces her #Tokyo2020 arrival in style…she registers a fine 4-1 first round victory! 🥊#Olympics | #StrongerTogether | #UnitedByEmotion @MangteC
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) July 25, 2021
However, a solid punch right on the face of Hernandez allowed the judges to declare the round in the favour of the Indian. The 38-year-old Mary Kom, a mother of four, started the second round on a cautious note. The Dominican native tried to change the scoreline punching one on Mary Kom’s forehead in the second round but that was all as the Indian took a grip on the tie to take the second round as well.
The pint-sized Mary Kom was at her ferocious best going all guns blazing while Garcia struggled to connect her punches well. Mary Kom made full use of the ring with her trademark front-foot boxing and danced her way into the next round.
“This (win) is for my children. Only thing missing for me is the Olympic gold and that’s why I am here despite the COVID-19 pandemic,” Mary Kom said after her win.
