Bridgetown, Barbados: M C Mary Kom continued her chase for a historic fifth successive World Championship gold by becoming the only Indian boxer to enter the finals of the event with a thumping win in the last-four stage here.
Mary Kom (48kg) defeated Alice Kate Aparri of Philippines 8-1 in the semifinals to assure herself of at least a silver in the sixth edition of the event.
The former Khel Ratna awardee will now face old rival Steluta Duta of Romania who defeated Kazakhstan's Nazgul Boranbayeva 10-5.
However, there was disappointment as well for India when Kavita (+81kg) settled for a bronze after losing 2-14 to Ukraine's Kateryna Kuzhel in the semifinals.
But Mary Kom, a mother-of-two from Manipur who is the only boxer to have won a medal in each edition of the World Championship, ensured that the Indian camp had something to cheer about.
"I am very happy to have come so far. I will do my best to win a gold even this time but I am not thinking too much about it because I need to focus on my game. If I fight well, I will win," the diminutive 27-year-old, who clinched a silver in the inaugural edition and hasn't settled for anything less then a gold ever since, told PTI.
In Friday's bout, Mary Kom was slow off the blocks and was in fact down 0-1 in the first round.
"I did not attack much in the opening round. I was just observing her. I needed to be patient before going for all-out attack," she said.
Mary Kom had last faced Aparri way back in 2004 and had come out triumphant and she made sure that her all-win record against Filipino remained intact.
The Indian got her first point in the second round and went on the offensive in the third, landing five scoring blows. She added another couple of points in the final round, while denying Aparri any chance with her swift foot movement.
"I wouldn't say it was a very easy bout but it was not too tough either. I covered up the points in the third round. I am confident about myself and that helps," Mary Kom said.
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