New Delhi, May 14
Mary Kom will make her competitive debut at home in the 51kg category in the second edition of the India Open boxing tournament, to be held in Guwahati from May 20 to 24.
With Olympics qualification round the corner, the India Open will witness 35 men and 37 women boxers from India vying for glory even as close to 200 pugilists from 16 boxing powerhouses will participate in the $70,000 tournament. “I have been preparing well for the 51kg category. Having got a real idea of the competition in this class in Germany, I am ready to give my best at this tournament and test myself ahead of the World Championships,” said Mary Kom, who led six Indian boxers to gold in the last edition in New Delhi.
Keeping in mind the approved weight categories for the Olympics qualification, some of the Indian pugilists have changed their weight divisions. Pooja Rani has gone back to her original weight category of 75kg.
Assam’s Bhagyabati Kachari too has made a similar change while Asian Championships bronze medallist Manisha Moun will be fighting it out in the 57kg for the very first time. Simranjit Kaur has switched to 60kg and will be competing with former world champion Sarita Devi. Amit Panghal (52kg) will be looking to continue his dominance after conquering the field at the Asian Championships to take gold.
