Women boxers leave for London qualifier

This chance has come after a long, long wait and MC Mary Kom does not want to let it go waste. The five-time world champion is thinking of nothing less than an Olympic gold and she wants to qualify for the London Games to live her dream.

"It's been 12 years since I started boxing. This is our first chance in the Olympics and I want to make it count. It is a very big stage and every boxer is working hard for it, striving to qualify and then win a medal. Agar gold milta hai to fir aaram se ghar mein rest karungi (If I win gold in London, I can retire and rest in peace at home)," Mary said.

A 10-member Indian women's team left on Tuesday evening for the World Championships in Qinhuangdao (China), starting on May 9. Women's boxing will feature for the first time in the Olympics and the women will compete in three weight categories -- 51kg, 60kg and 75kg. The Indians are trying to qualify in all three categories. This is the only Olympic qualifying tournament for the women boxers.

Competing in the 51kg category, Mary is aware of the tough competition given the limited berths on offer for the Asian region.

"I have the experience but we can't take any bout lightly. I may be a five-time world champion but I won't underestimate any boxer. There will be a high level of competition as boxers will be changing their weight categories to be eligible to qualify," Mary said.

Accompanying Mary in the dream run will be L Sarita Devi (60kg) and Pooja Rani (75kg). Sarita, who competed in five weight categories before settling on 60kg, said: "It's been a long wait of 11 years. I have won number of medals in the World and Asian Championships. An Olympic medal will make it complete. I have done a lot of weight-training to have more power in my punches."

Still new to the boxing arena as compared to Mary and Sarita, Pooja's focus is on her first round bout. "It has just been four years since I started boxing. Mushkil hai to kya hua (So what if it's tough), I will take it one bout at a time and my focus is entirely on my first round bout."

MC Mary Kom, World Champion, Olympic Gold, London Games, Olympics, Indian Womens Team, World Championships in Qinhuangdao, China, L Sarita Devi, Pooja Rani, World and Asian Championships