Shillong: Olympic bronze medallist MC Mary Kom dominated the final of the women's boxing flyweight category in fantastic style, at the 12 th South Asian Games, here on Tuesday.
The star pugilist won the gold medal via a technical knockout, against Sri Lanka's Anusha Dilrukshi.
It was a perfect beginning to India's day in the ring. L Sarita Devi and Pooja Rani then clinched gold medals in their respective weight divisions.
India claimed all 10 gold medals in boxing, after the hosts swept the men's events on Monday. Sri Lanka, on the other hand, despite promise, had to be happy with three silver medals only.
Before the final against Mary Kom, Lankan Anusha had said that she did have a chance to beat the five-time world champion. But it was the Indian who had the last laugh.
Backed by a vociferous crowd in the SAI Special Area Games Centre indoor hall, Mary Kom entered the ring and was immediately put to the test with a wild swing by Anusha in the very first second. The Lankan tried to bounce back from an injury to her knee, but her efforts were short-lived. She was brought down by a straight punch from Mary Kom.
"She was the one who challenged me before the match. I don't feel the need to comment if anyone challenges me," Mary Kom said after the bout. "I am happy with the performance. Deep inside, I am very positive," she added.
Sarita, meanwhile, was brimming with energy and delivered a flurry of punches that rattled her opponent in the lightweight category, Sri Lanka's Vidushika Prabadhi. Sarita won 3-0. Sarita returned to the ring here at the SAG 2016. She was banned from competition for a year after refusing to accept the bronze medal at the last Asian Games.
In her first competitive appearance since then, Sarita thanked the people of the country for backing her after winning the gold.
In the middleweight category, Pooja Rani impressed with a round two technical knock out over Sri Lanka's Nilanthi Andaraweer to cap a hugely successful day.
In judo, Pakistan and India shared the four gold medals on offer on the final day.
For India, Pooja (women's under-70kg) and Avtar Singh (men's U-90kg) bagged gold, while Fouzia Mumtaz (women's U-78kg) and Hussain Shah (men's U-100kg) earned the gold for Pakistan.
The hosts won gold medals in judo and three silver. Pakistan's two gold medals that came on Tuesday were their only top finishes in the discipline, but they also leave with two silver medals and eight bronze. Nepal was the only other country to come away with a gold.
India won a total of 308 medals, including 188 gold, 90 silver and 30 bronze.
The 12-day event, involving 22 disciplines, came to an end with a closing ceremony in Guwahati on Tuesday.
