Mary Kom is our strongest bet in 51kg category, claims BFI chairman of selectors
The chairman of selectors for Boxing Federation of India - Rajesh Bhandari - reckons that MC Mary Kom is India's best shot at a medal in the 51kg category. Nikhat Zareen had lashed out at BFI officials who overlooked her in favour of Mary for the upcoming women's Boxing World Championships.
The Indian women's boxing squad for the upcoming Boxing World Championships to be held later this month was revealed yesterday and had some well renowned names like MC Mary Kom and Lovlina Borgohain. However, former junior world champion - Nikhat Zareen - went public with her displeasure over the inclusion of Mary in the 51kg category ahead of herself.
In a letter to the Boxing Federation of India, the 23-year-old female boxer alleged that she was “stopped from competing” in a scheduled trial bout on Tuesday against Vanlal Duati by BFI chairman of selectors - Rajesh Bhandari.
However, the senior official brushed aside such allegations as he claimed that Mary is India's best shot at winning a medal in the 51kg category at the international tournament.
“We have to give priority to India’s medal chances and it is our unanimous belief that at this point Mary Kom is our strongest bet in this category.
“She beat Nikhat in the India Open [semi-finals] and is consistently better than others in the national camp as well. Nikhat is also a brilliant boxer and she will have her chances in the time to come. But right now, it’s a call based purely on performance and experience,” Bhandari was quoted as saying by PTI sources.
The BFI will be holding trials for other categories but six-time world champion Mary Kom and Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) have got a direct entry in the squad.
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