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Journalism of Courage
M C Mary Kom (51kg) on Friday became the first Indian woman boxer to qualify for the London Olympics despite losing in the quarterfinals of the World Championships. The 29-year-old made the cut after her quarterfinal nemesis Nicola Adams of England defeated Russias Elena Savelyeva 11-6 in the semifinals.
Olympic slot confirmed finally! I am so happy, she said. I am a bit sad as well because I wont have a medal around my neck this time, she added.
In Mary Koms division,one slot had been taken by Chinas Ren Cancan,who is in final now. The other slot was to be decided between Mary Kom and North Koreas Hye Kim. While Mary Kom had lost to world number two Adams,Kim had gone down to Savelyeva in the quarterfinals. The winner of the Savelyeva-Adams bout was to decide the second slot for Asia and luckily for the Indian,the result went her way.
But the luck did not favour L Sarita Devi (60kg) as Natasha Jonas lost in the semifinals. Jonas had to win a gold for Sarita to get the Asian Olympic slot.
Kavita bags bronze
Kavita (+81kg) was the lone Indian woman boxer to clinch a medal after she settled for a bronze in the semifinals against Kazakhstan’s Yuldus Mamatkulova. The Indian lost 9-15.
