Mary Kom makes history at Women's World Boxing Championships
Indian flyweight becomes first boxer to win eight medals at boxing worlds
Boxing
Mary Kom secured a semi final slot in style by beating Colombia's Ingrit Valencia Victoria at the Women's World Boxing Championships in Russia on Thursday.
All five judges scored the 51kg quarter final in the Indian's favour to assure her of at least bronze and thus become the most medalled boxer ever at the World Championships.
Kom is aiming to win her seventh gold medal at the World Championships - which would be another unprecedented accomplishment.
Stern test
Having been pushed hard in her opening bout in the competition, Valencia Victoria was expected to be another stern test for the veteran Indian.
After all, just like Kom, the Colombian is an Olympic bronze medallist after reaching the podium at Rio 2016.
There was certainly not much between them in their opening round as both boxers probed for an opportunity.
Kom though did manage to have some joy with her slashing right hook.
In contrast to Kom's opening opponent in the competition, Valencia Victoria was proving to be a much more discerning, tactical fighter.
The punch count was not particularly high, but it was Kom who was landing the more accurate blows.
Off the back foot
Into the final round, Kom was happy to draw her opponent on and box off the back foot.
The tactic worked like a treat.
The longer the fight went on, the more comfortable Kom looked.
Victoria Valencia's corner were imploring her to up the tempo, but the Colombian could not find anyway through.
Kom finished the contest with lovely right hook that had her trainer shouting 'Bravo!'.
Bravo indeed - this was classy from Kom.
Into the last four
Kom was confirmed the winner by a 5-0 margin, with the judges scoring it 29-28, 30-27, 29-28, 30-27, 29-28 in her favour.
Waiting for her in the last four is the Turkish fighter Busenaz Cakiroglu.
Cakiroglu came through a tough quarter final with China's Cai Zongju, winning it by a 3-2 margin.
Their semi final bout will take place on Saturday 12th October.
The contest will be live streamed on AIBA's YouTube Channel.