Mary Kom moves closer to Olympic berth

Qinhuangdao (China), May 15 (IANS) India's boxer M.C. Mary Kom (51kg) moved a step closer to booking a berth in the London Olympics by beating Norway's Marielle Hansen 18-6 in the pre-quarters of the women's World Boxing Championship here Tuesday.

Mary Kom moved into the last eight of the qualifying event. Women's boxing will make its Olympic debut in London in three categories - 51kg, 60kg and 75kg.

The Manipuri boxer's category has two spots available for Asia from among a total of eight. Three Asian boxers have made it to the quarter-finals including the Indian, the other two being Ren Cancan and North Korea's Hye Kim.

If either of the two lose in the quarters Wednesday, and Mary Kom wins her bout against world No.2 Nicola Adams of England, the Indian will get the Olympic spot.

Sarita Devi though could not replicate her compatriot's feat as she went down 22-25 to England's Natasha Jonas in the 60kg category.

Luck will have to play a big role if Sarita has to qualify for the Olympics, if the English boxer wins the gold medal here, then the Indian will get the second quota place for Asia with Tajikistan already making it through to the quarter-finals.