The magnificient Mary Kom won her sixth World Boxing Championships gold in New Delhi on Saturday. No man or woman has won more than five world titles, thus leading the Manipur-born boxer to make history in the nation’s capital.
For Mary, it was a nerve-wracking wait for the sixth as the fifth gold medal had come in 2010, eight years prior. But she made sure that she got over the line at a packed KD Jadhav Stadium Indoor Stadium on Saturday.
Up against Hanna Okhota of Ukraine, an opponent 13 years her junior, the prize pugilist dominated her younger opponent, coming out all guns blazing in the first round. All the judges unanimously awarded the rounds to the Indian.
In the second round, Okhota tried to seize the early initiative and had Mary on the ropes, but the home favourite fought back to maintain parity. Mary also showed composure in the third round to seal all openings for the Ukrainian and close out the bout.
Social media hailed Mary Kom for her historic achievement.
I have fulfilled my duty. I thank my coaches, support staffs @BFI_official @IndiaSports @Media_SAI for all the supports and beloved in me. pic.twitter.com/DbocgISmSH
— Mary Kom (@MangteC) November 24, 2018
Congratulations @MangteC, icon of Manipur and of India, for winning the Women’s World Boxing Championship for the sixth time. May this moment inspire our girl-children to aspire, to attempt and to achieve #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) November 24, 2018
Heartiest congratulations to #MaryKom for creating history, by clinching record 6th World Boxing Championship Gold#WWCHs2018 pic.twitter.com/DFzvuJBa3b
— Sushil Kumar (@WrestlerSushil) November 24, 2018
You are an Inspiration @MangteC.. Magnificent Mary Clinches Gold For 6th time. More Power To You 👊#MaryKom pic.twitter.com/NOJ2jFeZMg
— Vijender Singh (@boxervijender) November 24, 2018
A stellar achievement for #MaryKom , becoming the first woman boxer to win six world championship Gold. One of India's greatest ever sportsperson. Super happy and super proud ! pic.twitter.com/jw2V4QBulo
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) November 24, 2018
Mary Kom rewrited history. Won Women’s 48 kg boxing final. This is her 6th World title. Proud of you girl. #Marykom
— Kumkum Binwal (@Kumkum26) November 24, 2018
History created! 💪
— Tottenham Hotspur (@Spurs_India) November 24, 2018
Mary Kom becomes the World Champion for a record sixth time after clinching Gold in Women's World Boxing Championships! 👏👏👏#AIBA #WWCHs2018 pic.twitter.com/wzlvEiiBSw
Dear Mary Kom, you have done it again for India🤛🥊
— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) November 24, 2018
Congratulations on winning record 6th World Boxing title! India salutes @MangteC 🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/LqUYmr6Iyy
Take a bow, @MangteC!
— MINERVA PUNJAB FC (@minervapunjabfc) November 24, 2018
🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇🥇World Champion! 👏👏
And thank you for continuing to do what looks impossible. You are the role model this country deserves! #MaryKom #Champion pic.twitter.com/akeH73XJnf
Magnificent Mary! Wins world champion pic.twitter.com/W72Ee2khIF
— neeru bhatia (@neerubhatia3) November 24, 2018
Congratulations Mary Kom for winning a record sixth world title. We are proud of your golden achievement at the Women's World Boxing Championships @MangteC
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) November 24, 2018
16 years after winning her first World Championship gold, Mary Kom wins her sixth, with a small matter of an Olympic medal in between. What a champion! #boxing
— Mihir Vasavda (@mihirsv) November 24, 2018
HISTORY!! Mary Kom is world champion for a record sixth time! No one has won more world titles than the 35-year-old mother of 3. She beats Hanna Okhota 5-0 in the final of the 48kg category in New Delhi. Doubt anyone is getting close to that medal count! pic.twitter.com/M1FnIMDynf
— jonathan selvaraj (@jon_selvaraj) November 24, 2018