Clean Sweep! MC Mary Kom, Sarita Devi Win Gold Medals at SAF Games
The Indian men’s and women’s boxing teams bagged all the Gold medals at the South Asian Games.
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M C Mary Kom and Pooja Rani knocked out their respective opponents while L Sarita Devi survived a scare as India grabbed all three gold medals on offer in women’s boxing for an overall clean-sweep for India at the 12th South Asian Games.
On a comeback trail after recovering from a shoulder injury, London Olympics bronze-medallist Mary Kom (51kg) packed a powerful punch against her seasoned Sri Lankan rival Anusha Kodituwakku Dilrukshi to be adjudged winner via Technical Knockout (TKO) in a bout lasting less than 90 seconds.
With Mary landing some powerful blows, Anusha lost her balance and injured her right knee. This forced her to take a medical break before attempting a comeback.
However, a booming jab from the five-time world champion sent her almost out of the ring before the referee intervened.
The injury to Anusha will take about two-three months to heal.
The atmosphere was electrifying at the North Eastern Hill University in the outskirts of the city with the SAI Complex, which has a seating capacity of only 500, filled up to the brim and spectators queued up since morning.
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