Four-time world champion MC Mary Kom staved off a stiff resistance from local pugilist Hoa Nguyen Thi to win the 46 kg title as India won two gold and as many silver medals in women’s boxing of the third Asian Indoor Games here on Wednesday. Kavita Goyat (64kg) won the second gold for India while L Sarita Devi (54 kg) and N Usha (57kg) bagged a silver each.

Mary Kom had to dig dip against the Vietnamese who was not intimidated by her reputation. Mary Kom was the first to open account and was 1-0 up after first round. The second round show the local boxer matching Mary Kom punch for punch as both scored two points apiece. The third round was more entertaining as both the boxers went all out for points and both scored three each, with Mary Kom leading 6-5. In the final round, Mary Kom not only held off the Vietnamese but scored two crucial points to the local opponent’s one to win the bout 8-6.

Kavita earned India’s second gold by defeating Khassenova Saida of Kazhakstan 8-4 in 64 kg. At the end of third round, Kavita was leading by just a point at 5-4 but the Indian scored three points without reply in the final round to win the bout. In contrast to Kavita, L Sarita Devi lost her 54 kg final bout against Zhang Qin of China at the final round. Sarita led 5-4 at the end of third round conceded five points in the final round to go down 7-9 for a silver.

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