Asian Boxing Championship | Mary Kom defeats Diem Thi Trinh Kieu to enter quarters

Mary Kom took her time to get a measure of her opponent in the initial stages, maintaining the right distance to deny any clear shots, before stepping up her momentum with sharp reflexes. Diem Thi Trinh Kieu, a local favourite, was cheered upon by a partisan crowd and she came to life in the last three minutes.

However, the five-time world champion looked unfazed by it and stepped up her game with some brilliant combination blows throwing her opponent off balance. Kom, a four-time gold medallist at this event, will face Chinese Taipei's Meng-Chieh Ping next, who defeated Thailand's Panpradab Plodsai in her opening bout to advance to the quarters. A total of 107 boxers from 20 countries are competing in the continental meet, where India are placed third on the all-time medals' list with 19 gold, 21 silver, and 20 bronze medals.