Five-time world champion Mary Kom, on Saturday, was assured of her sixth medal at the Asian Boxing Championships after she progressed to the semi-finals in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam. The 34-year-old defeated Chinese Taipei’s Meng-Chieh Pin by a split verdict in her 48 kg quarter-final match.

For much of the bout, both boxers were cautious and waited for their opponent to make a mistake. It was the Indian who was on the backfoot during the opening round and was lackluster in attack.

Meng took the game to Mary Kom by using her left straights and right hooks but the Indian held on and was solid in defence. The Olympic bronze medallist came alive in the contest in the final round, landing a series of decisive blows, which turned the contest in her favour.

Mary Kom has won four gold and one silver in her five previous appearances at the event and will face Japan’s Tsubasa Komura in the semi-finals.