Mary’s bronze apology
9 Aug 2012 8:33 AM IST
India's M C Mary Kom created history on Wednesday by becoming the country's first woman boxer to win a medal at Olympic games. Kom, however, had to settle for bronze after going down fighting in her 51-kilogramme semifinal bout against the local favourite Nicola Adams.
After her loss, a humble Kom said, 'My whole country was hoping for me to win a gold medal, and I am sorry I have not come back with that.'
The 29-year-old Manipuri boxer also became the second Indian after Vijender Singh to win an Olympic medal. Singh got a bronze in Beijing fours years ago.
Buoyed by the presence of the British prime minister David Cameron, the second-seed Adams put on a flawless performance while beating the Indian 11-6 at the packed ExCel Arena. From the start of the bout, Kom struggled to cope up with the Briton's speed. She came under pressure in the first round, having to fend off Adams' powerful punches. A couple of times Kom, a mother of twins, was pinned in the corner and took some major blows, losing the first round 1-3.
The second round was closer as both boxers tried to assert their dominance. However, the five-time World Champion found it difficult to get her way around her quick opponent, who narrowly edged the round 2-1. Kom, who had to switch two weight categories to get to 51 kilogramme, tried her best to reduce the deficit in the third round but had no answer to the skills of Adams. The British fighter, who beat the Indian in the World Championships in China, also made full use of her height advantage.
The Manipuri stuck it out in the third round before losing it by a whisker. The final round went pretty much in similar fashion as Kom found it hard to cope with Adams' superior size. With time running out, the Indian went hell for leather but fell short and lost the round 2-3.
After her loss, a humble Kom said, 'My whole country was hoping for me to win a gold medal, and I am sorry I have not come back with that.'
The 29-year-old Manipuri boxer also became the second Indian after Vijender Singh to win an Olympic medal. Singh got a bronze in Beijing fours years ago.
Buoyed by the presence of the British prime minister David Cameron, the second-seed Adams put on a flawless performance while beating the Indian 11-6 at the packed ExCel Arena. From the start of the bout, Kom struggled to cope up with the Briton's speed. She came under pressure in the first round, having to fend off Adams' powerful punches. A couple of times Kom, a mother of twins, was pinned in the corner and took some major blows, losing the first round 1-3.
The second round was closer as both boxers tried to assert their dominance. However, the five-time World Champion found it difficult to get her way around her quick opponent, who narrowly edged the round 2-1. Kom, who had to switch two weight categories to get to 51 kilogramme, tried her best to reduce the deficit in the third round but had no answer to the skills of Adams. The British fighter, who beat the Indian in the World Championships in China, also made full use of her height advantage.
The Manipuri stuck it out in the third round before losing it by a whisker. The final round went pretty much in similar fashion as Kom found it hard to cope with Adams' superior size. With time running out, the Indian went hell for leather but fell short and lost the round 2-3.
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