Boxing World Championships: Mary Kom looks at history

The atmosphere at Indira Gandhi's indoor stadium on Wednesday was difficult to explain. The last minute preparations for the AIBA World Women's Championships were in full swing and everyone seemed in a hurry. On the one hand, the room was brimming with the kind of nerve energy that usually precedes big events. On the other hand, the pre – event controversies covered it like a thick winter smog making the atmosphere a bit dark.

The biggest news in the preparation of the event, which India hosts after 12 years apart, should have been Chungneijang Mangt Mary Kom, who is aiming for a sixth medal. historic gold. or other boxers coming from all over the world trying to make a name for themselves. However, it is the non sports problems that made the buzz.

The polluted air of Delhi has already made headlines in the international press and could have serious repercussions on the image of the capital as a host of international sporting events. The visa refusal granted to Kosovar boxer Donjeta Sadiku for this event has not been well received by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) and could jeopardize India's bid for the biggest international competitions in the future.

But most importantly, the International Boxing Association itself faces an uncertain Olympic future as a result of the controversy over the election of the Uzbek businessman Gafur Rakhimov to the presidency.

2006 REPEAT? UNLIKELY

It is now up to the boxers at the 10th edition of the championships, the biggest of all time with more than 300 participants from 72 countries, to bring back the attention to the sport. The last time India had hosted the event, in 2006, the country ranked first with eight medals – 4 gold medals, 1 silver medal and 3 medals. bronze. But a repetition is unlikely.

"I'm waiting for at least three medals, including one in gold. We will not be satisfied if we can not achieve this goal. More than 3 medals will be a bonus and an excellent result for us, "said Tuesday the director of the high performance of Indian boxing, Santiago Nieva.

It may not be a surprise, but 35-year-old Mary Kom remains India's biggest hope of winning a gold medal. She is tied with Katie Taylor with five gold medals and the Irish pugilist has become professional.

"There are boxers who still play in my category since 2001. I know them very well. The new boxers are more robust and smarter, they are faster. I will use my experience. The old boxers are more or less the same, I know them, "said Mary Kom, expecting a difficult journey to the gold.