Half-fit Marykom too good for rival; moves into semi-final

New Delhi, Nov 21 (UNI) High fever and cold were hardly a deterrent for defending champion MC Marykom as she outscored Chandrika Guruge of Sri Lanka to book herself a semifinal berth in the 46 kg category of the fourth World Women Boxing Championship here today.

The world number two, who could not even take any medicines before the bout because of the doping tests after every match, however, hardly had any trouble in getting past the Sri Lankan, who just could not match upto the Indian's agility.

Marykom, who got a walkover till the quarterfinals, admitted to being rusty in her first bout of the tournament due to illness and lack of match practice. However, the two time world champion still had enough fire to outpace Chandrika and move into the next level with ease.

The Indian was never really in any sort of trouble and had established a fomidable 13-3 lead at the end of the first round.

The second round saw Marykom slow down a bit but she landed enough blows for the referee to call off the bout with the score reading 19-4.

''I had beaten her (Chandrika) in the Asian Championship and knew her technique quite well. But to tell you honestly, I don't think this was my best. This was not what I had expected,'' a visibly exhausted Marykom said after her bout.

''I have fever and severe cold but couldn't take medicines because of the doping tests. And I am very tired,'' she added.

Marykom will take on North Korea's Jong Ok in the semifinals and the Indian stayed on to watch her next-round opponent as she took on Russian Gnevanova Svetlana in the second quarterfinal of the day.

''I beat her (Jong Ok) in the last World Championship finals. She will be there in the semis this time, let's see how things go,'' she said of her next challenge.

Meanwhile, in other quarterfinals, Chhotu Loura and L Sarita Devi scored easy victories in the 50 kg and 52 kg catgories respectively but Kalpana Choudhary crashed out of the 48 kg category.

A clueless Kalpana was completely out-done by Argentina's Yesica Bopp as she went down 4-19 after referee stopped the bout in the second round due to out-scoring.

Chhotu, meanwhile, continued her winning ways and mauled South Korea's Eun-A Jang 20-5 to enter the last-four stage. The Haryana-girl will take on world number one Hasibe Erkoc in the next level.

''I have already faced her (Hasibe) in the Venus Cup. And I think playing at home will also make a huge difference. Crowd support always helps,'' she said, when asked about her next match.

Sarita, also scored an easy 22-11 victory over Maarit Teuronen in her category to enter the medal-round of the championship.

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