Women Boxing Champions

History says women have participated in boxing for almost as long as the sport has existed, The AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships 2018, held at the Indira Gandhi Stadium in New Delhi have organized competition in 10 weight categories.

Over 300 boxers from 73 countries will compete in them, making it the biggest single-disciple event after the FIFA Youth World Cup held last year in the national capital. Several countries have sent young and experienced boxers with proven records. The contestants, especially from the US and Puerto Rico and some European countries apart from the Asian nations are expected to lead the way. Participants across the 12 countries had arrived a week before to get themselves to adapt to the conditions and spar with fighters from other countries to prepare themselves for the day. Mr. Ajay Singh, the BFI President, said “I am happy all the boxers have had a wonderful time during their practice sessions. It was a priority for us as we were committed to take care of this aspect, providing them with similar conditions that will prevail during the championships”. He also said that the sports ministry had extended their support to make the event more successful. If India’s top contender M.C. Mary Kom, who is chasing her dream of sixth world crown, is the favourite in 48 kg, there are other serious gold medal challengers like Virginia Fuchs (51 kg) from the US, Lin Yu Ting (54) from Taipei, Yin Junhua (57) from China, Mira Potkonen (60) from Finland, Simranjit Kaur (64) from India, Gu Hong (69) from China, Nouchka Fontijn (75) from the Netherlands, Wang Lina (81) and defending champion Yang Xiaoli (+81), both from China, to name a few, along with other Olympic and European championships medal winners. Mary Kom and other Indian boxers were sure that it will turn into a great show and that the crowd out there will support to back them. Mary Kom, the legend of India, said that she is sure of doing well as they have been trained extremely hard and good. Mira Potkonen, the only Finnish boxer to win medals in world championships (Asthana) and Olympics (Rio) was equally thrilled to be a part of the show. The BFI ensured smooth conduct and comfort of participants by having in 20 junior boxers, drawn from different states and academies, as volunteers.  The BFI Chief said that “This would give a lifetime opportunity to these young, budding boxers a ringside view to watch the bouts”.

By: Anuja Arora

Content: https://www.news18.com/news/sports/indian-contingent-prepared-as-aiba-womens-world-boxing-championships-set-to-commence-1938237.html