Mary Kom, Nikhat Zareen to clash in women's boxing trials for Olympic Qualifiers today

Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom and Nikhat Zareen will clash today in the 51kg category finals of the women's boxing trials for next year's Olympic Qualifiers after claiming unanimous victories in their respective first-round bouts in New Delhi.

Former junior world champion Zareen defeated reigning national champion Jyoti Gulia, while multiple-time Asian champion Mary Kom got the better of Ritu Grewal. In other trial bouts yesterday, world youth gold-medallist Sakshi Chaudhary defeated Asian silver-winner Manisha



Maun in the 57kg category, while former national champion Simranjit Kaur got the better or Pavitra in the 60kg opener.

The Olympic qualifiers are scheduled to be held in China in February next year. All five categories in women's boxing are being decided by trials as none in the 51kg, 57kg, 60kg, 69kg, and 75kg divisions managed to make the finals of the world championships. The two-day trials for men will be held in Bellary, Karnataka starting tomorrow.