Mary Kom to spearhead

New Delhi: Five-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom will lead the Indian charge at the AIBA World Elite Women's Boxing Championships, to be held in the national capital from November 15 to 24.

Along with Mary Kom, who will compete in her pet category (48 kg class), nine other pugilists have been selected to represent India in the forthcoming event.

Pinky Jangra (51 kg), Manisha (54), Sonia (57), Sarita (60), Simranjit (64), Lovlina (69), Saweety Boora (75), Bhagyabati Kachari (81) and Seema Poonia (+81) are the other members, making it a strong 10-member squad put up by India.

Of the 10 members, five players -- Mary Kom, Lovlina Borgohain, Sarita Devi, Baghyabati Kachari and Simranjit -- made it to the squad on the basis of their fine performances in Poland (13th International Silesian Boxing Championships) and Turkey (32nd Ahmet Comert Boxing Tournament). 

Mary had won a gold at the Poland meet early this month while Lovilina and five times Asian Champion and a former World Champion, Sarita Devi claimed a bronze each in their categories. 

Similarly, Simran who won a gold in Turkey along with Bagyabati, the gold medallist who was adjudged the best boxer for her superior techniques, also got selected into the team. 

The rest of the boxers were picked on the basis of trials held on Friday. Pinki Jangra in 51 kg defeated Ritu Garewal, making a strong comeback in the second round despite the first round going in favour of Ritu. 

Pinki's tactical precision and experience held sway over the young Ritu as the 2010 CWG bronze medal winner held on to make the cut.

In 54 kg, Manisha was confidence personified, thanks to her fine display in Poland where she defeated 2016 World Champion and European Champions.

The showdown in the trials was a hard-fought bout with Meena Kumari Devi, a bronze medal winner in Russia and a silver medallist in Turkey, expected not to give any easy points to her rival. 

But Manisha proved to be the dominant boxer on the day, trading sharp punches with precise landing to get the ruling in her favour.