Mary Kom works out at the gym

Imphal, Sept. 23: Reigning world champion in the 45-kg category, M.C. Mary Kom of Manipur, picked up three gold medals at the training-cum-championship in Italy from September 4 to 20.

The nine-member Indian team also won the overall champions title.

Speaking over the phone yesterday from New Delhi, Mary Kom said the national women boxers had a productive outing in Italy prior to the Asian women boxing championship, beginning in the capital in November.

During their 16 days in Italy, several reputed European coaches imparted training to the Indian pugilists. They also participated in three championships in different venues where boxers from across Italy took part.

Three other Manipur girls — L. Sarita Devi, W. Shandhyarani Devi and N. Asharani Devi — were initially selected for the training stint. However, the trio could not make the trip because they pulled out of the national coaching camp in New Delhi along with four other state pugilists, protesting at the allegedly rude behaviour of chief coach Anup Kumar.

L. Sarita even cancelled her trip to South Korea for the international invitation boxing championship in August.

Mary Kom completed her training at the camp, which ended on September 2, and participated in the advanced programme in Italy.