Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Sunday
India's M C Mary Kom, who won a historic sixth world title, was adjudged the best pugilist of the 10th World Women's Boxing Championships in New Delhi.
The AIBA panel which chose the Indian as the best among the competitors was a richly deserved honour for the 35-year-old Manipuri, whose endurance, perseverance and the never-say-die attitude is unparalleled in history.
Speaking at the official press conference, Mary Kom recalled her participation in the New Delhi event held in 2006.
"At that time, boxers from fewer countries had participated. It was not even included in Olympics. Though we won eight medals, four gold included but competition is much tough nowadays and considering the fact, our results here (one gold, a silver and two bronze medals) were great," said Mary.
"As for as organization, this one was better than what it was in 2006."
Asked to compare the win here with earlier gold medals, the Manipuri said it was difficult to remember.
"But this one was very special. I was under pressure and had to change my weight category also. I won my last Worlds gold in 2010 and then the change of weight for Olympics happened. Pressure was something I always felt but don't know how to put this gold alongside the earlier five," she reasoned.
However, Mary distinctly remembered that she had won five on the trot.
"Even Katie Taylor (of Ireland) had not done that," she said.
Sonia Chahal claimed the silver medal in 57kg, while Lovlina Borgohain won a bronze in 69kg.
Boxing Federation of India (BFI) president Ajay Singh also said that the world body has given full marks to the organisation and described it as the best championships ever in recent years.
"They were very happy and it gives us the confidence to go ahead and bid for more tournaments. We will be definitely eyeing to get one of the Olympic qualifying events to India," he said.
Manu wins double gold in junior; Ravi, Rahi crowned national champions
Teen sensation Manu Bhaker of Haryana won a double gold in junior sport pistol while Ravi Kumar and Rahi Sarnobat were crowned national champions in the men and women's events respectively in Thiruvananthapuram on Sunday.
The 16-year-old Bhaker claimed the individual gold in junior girl's sport pistol with 24, a yellow metal in junior team and a silver in senior team.
Ravi and Rahi were crowned national champions in the men's 10m air rifle and women's 25m pistol events respectively in the ongoing National Shooting Championship.
Ravi, representing Indian Air Force, shot 250.2 in the final to quell the challenge of Army's Sandeep Singh, who shot 249.6 for silver. Keval Prajapati of Gujarat won bronze.
Maharashtra's Rahi shot 36 in the final to leave behind Pushpanjali Rana of the CRPF, who shot 30.
Bhaker had earlier topped qualification with a 581 and Rahi took the fifth spot with 576 in the women's senior pistol event. But the Asian Games champion was too strong for the field in the end.
Both shooters also helped their team to gold in the team section for a double gold performance on the day.
In the 25m junior girl's pistol event, Bhaker, Tanu Rawal and Tejaswani bagged gold with a total of 1700. Maharashtra finished second.
