Date:30/11/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/11/30/stories/2008113059641400.htm

Sport - Boxing

Four-in-a-row for Marykom

— Photo: Rajeev Bhatt

M.C. Marykom.

Ningbo City (China): India’s M.C. Marykom clinched an unprecedented fourth successive gold medal in the 46kg category, but India failed to retain the team crown at the fifth World women’s boxing championships here on Saturday.

In a repeat of the previous World Championship final in New Delhi, the 25-year-old out-punched Romania’s Steluta Duta 7-1 to grab India’s only gold medal at the event.

The other Indian finalist, N. Usha (57kg) lost 1-6 to China’s Qin Jian and settled for silver.

The defending champion India finished the tournament with a haul of one gold, one silver and two bronze medals and was tied fifth with 18 points along with South Korea, but India had a better points per boxer average of 2.6.

China, which clinched five gold, two silver and four bronze, was the team champion with 52 points. Turkey (20) beat Russia (20) in the points per boxer average to take the second spot. — PTI