India boxer M.C. Mary Kom is just a win away from her historic fifth world title as she entered the finals of the sixth Women's World Championships here. Mary Kom (48kg) defeated Alice Kate Aparri of the Philippines 8-1 in the semi-finals on Friday and has assured herself of at least the silver.
In the title clash, Mary Kom, a mother of two, will now face old rival Romanian Steluta Duta, who defeated Kazakhstan's Nazgul Boranbayeva 10-5. Mary Kom is now the only Indian in the final as her compatriot Kavita (+81kg) had to settle for a bronze after losing 2-14 to Ukraine's Kateryna Kuzhel in the semi-finals.
"I am very happy to have come so far. I will do my best to win a gold even this time but I am not thinking too much about it because I need to focus on my game. If I fight well, I will win," said Mary Kom.
In the bout, Mary Kom started slowly and was down 0-1 in the first round. "I did not attack much in the opening round. I was just observing her. I needed to be patient before going for all-out attack," she said. Mary Kom had last faced Aparri way back in 2004 and had come out triumphant, and she made sure that her all-win record against the Filipino remained intact.
Mary Kom got her first points and came down heavily on Alice in the third round by landing five scoring blows. She added another couple of points in the final round. "I wouldn't say it was a very easy bout but it was not too tough either. I covered up the points in the third round. I am confident about myself and that helps," Mary Kom said.
In the last two finals, Mary Kom has defeated Duta, and this time she is not taking her lightly. "I never take my opponents easy. On her day anybody can be dangerous. I have beaten her twice before and that gives me a good feeling but I can't really say whether it would be easy or tough," she said.
"All I can say is that I am confident and will do my best to clinch a gold. I know it would be historic but I don't want to put myself under pressure by thinking about all this," she said