The highly anticipated battle between India's five-time AIBA World Champion Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte and China's two-time AIBA World Champion and Asian Games winner Ren Cancan came during the final of the Olympic Flyweight division. It was one to remember at the 6th edition of the Asian Women's Boxing Championships in the capital city of Mongolia, Ulanbaatar.
The 29-year-old Indian legend, a member of her nation's Police, just like her opponent, had really been tested during these Championships but will have been delighted with the level of competition she faced as she came into the final primed to take on her Chinese rival. The first round was a tentative one with both boxers getting a feel for each other but once the second started, Kom really cranked up the pressure. The Indian megastar was sensational in the last three as the shell-shocked Cancan found no response to the barrage of shots from Kom, who triumphed in style to win 14:8. She will now be one of the favourites to make it a sixth World Title in China this May.
India's four-time Asian Champion Sarita Devi Laishram and 19-year-old Tajik titleholder Mavzuna Choriyeva, who is coached by Mirzo Shamsiyev, both put on an excellent show for the spectators in the Lightweight final. Veteran Devi, a member of her national squad since 2001, used up all of her previous experience to beat her super talented teenage opponent. Devi impressed with her all action display as she took the gold after a 16:9 victory in this Olympic weight category.
Former AIBA World Champion and Asian Games winner Li Jinzi from China ensured that there was no Indian hegemony in all three Olympic weight classes in Ulanbaatar, as the 22-year-old star claimed the gold medal by beating Indian National Games winner and Olympic Test Event quarter-finalist Pooja Rani. Jinzi won the Middleweight final by a clear 15:8 but Rani is really growing as a fighter and could make a huge impact the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in China this May, as her skills have rapidly developed in the recent months.
On the opening final of the Asian Championships, Mongolia's Bolortuul Tumurkhuyag defeated 22-year-old Indian National Games winner and Arafura Games gold medallist Pinky Jangra by narrow 24:22 to secure her nation's first ever gold medal in the history of these Asian Women's Boxing Championships.
National Chinese Champion Liu Kejia, from Inner Mongolia, had only fought four times at international level coming into this competition, but she defied the odds to be crowned winner of the Bantamweight division after beating India's 20-year-old Federation Cup winner Sonia Lather Singh by close 12:8.
Thailand's AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships bronze medallist and Asian Women's Cup winner Tassamelee Thongjan put on a magnificent performance in Ulanbaatar in the final as she battled DPR Korea's Kim Kil Ok for Featherweight supremacy. The three-time Southeast Asian Games winner Thongjan won their bout 17:11 and claimed her first ever Asian gold medal.
President's Cup silver medallist and National Champion 22-year-old Erdenesoyol Uyanga continued the successful Mongolian performances in the front of the home crowd. She secured the second gold medal for the host nation following Bolortuul Tumurkhuyag's opening victory. In the final, the Light Welterweight boxer triumphed over China's National Champion Xie Lili 21:12.
Wang Dongmei, who secured the silver medal at the last edition of her National Championships, achieved a second gold medal for China after beating India's China Open Tournament bronze medallist Monica Saun 13:10 in the Welterweight class.
Current AIBA Youth World Champion, 19-year-old Yuan Meiqing, the youngest team member of the Chinese national squad, was competing in her first major elite competition in Mongolia. She delighted her team when she defeated Kazakhstan's Turkish Prime Ministry Tournament winner Yulduz Mamatkulova, following in a hectic battle to take gold.
China's AIBA World Championships bronze medallist Li Yunfei from Ningbo City achieved the fifth Chinese first place finish by overcoming the challenge of her Kazakh opponent. Li Yunfei definitely proved that she is one of the best Asian Heavyweight boxers as she powered past Astana International Tournament winner Lazzat Kungeybayeva 22:9.
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