World Boxing Championships | ‘Fantastic Four’ led by Mary Kom make the semi-finals

Mary Kom has been a long-standing role model to young boys and girls who dream of becoming boxers all across the country. At the age of 35, the veteran boxer showed no signs of slowing down as she cemented a spot in the semi-finals of the ongoing Women’s World Boxing Championships in Delhi.

However, another trio of Indian youngsters - Lovlina Borgohain, Simranjit Kaur and Sonia Chahal have also managed to imitate Mary and progressed to the semis of their respective categories as well. Sonia (57kg), Simranjeet Kaur (64kg), and Lovlina (69kg), three of the youngest members of the 10-women Indian squad, will join Mary in the semi-finals, are scheduled for Thursday evening at the KD Jadhav Hall of the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium.

Mary will aim to etch her name into the record books as will look to bag a record sixth World gold in front of her home crowd. The Olympian will face North Korea's Mi Kim Hyang, "I can't get over-excited or over-confident. She would have analysed my game after our bout, so I have to account for that as well. I have to be prepared that her game can change," Mary told TOI.

Meanwhile. Sonia from Nimri village in Bhiwani will be the first Indian in semi-final action on Thursday as she looks to ouster 2018 Asian Games silver Jo Son Hwa of North Korea.

"It is a very tough bout. We will see what happens in the ring. I will follow the coach's advice, like I have done so far in the tournament," Sonia told TOI reporters.

Simranjeet will face 2017 Asian Championships silver medallist Dou Dan from China while welterweight boxer Lovlina will be seen in action on Thursday evening against Chinese Taipei's Chen Chin-Nien, the 2016 World Championships 75kg bronze medallist.

"I have to plan for the Taipei boxer. I have competed once against her, I was a newcomer back then and my boxing wasn't that good but I am going to beat her this time," Lovlina added.