Mary Kom defeated Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota in the final of the Women’s World Boxing Championships to clinch the gold medal in the 48kg category and her sixth world title at the K.D. Jadhav Indoor Stadium on Saturday.

Mary Kom is now the most successful boxer in the tournament’s history and won the gold exactly 16 years after she had won it for the first time.

“First of all, I would like to thank all my fans. Thank you guys, I don’t have anything to give you. What I can give you is a gold for the country. They came especially for me and the Indian contingent. Today, I was a little bit emotional because for the last few years, I was not able to fight in 48 kg category,” an emotional Mary said after the bout.

Mary, who went over her weight category to clinch a 51kg bronze at the London Olympics, previously clinched the World Championship gold on five occasions — 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010 — besides bagging a silver on her debut in 2001.

“I had to jump to other categories. The effort was very challenging for me. Because of your love and support, I hope to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. I wasn’t able to qualify for Rio Games. I am still suffering.

“I can easily give a gold in the 48 kg category, but 51 kg, it’s difficult because other boxers may have a height advantage,” Mary added while breaking into tears.

Welcomed by thunderous chants of “Mary Mary” at the jampacked K.D. Jadhav hall, the Indian took the ring with a statistical and psychological advantage over her Ukrainian opponent, whom she recently beat at the Silesian Women’s Open semi-finals in Poland.

Living up to the reputation, Mary started the opening round aggressively and landed a couple of right jabs quite early into the round before taking full control with a right-two punch combination to Hanna.

However, towards the end of the first round, the Ukrainian managed to get a shot on Mary’s face before the Indian wrestled Okhota to the ground. Mary appeared unshakable throughout and ended the round with a few jabs and a right-hand, left-hand combo.

The Indian came back with more aggression in the second round, and started with a powerful hook with her right and then doubled the attack with two quick right jabs to leave her opponent rattled.

A left-handed flick from Okhota pushed Mary backwards but towards the end of the round, the Indian delivered a perfect right hook to inch closer to another gold.

The third and decisive round began with the Manipuri pugilist delivering a right-handed jab, and adding it up with a right-hand, left-hand combo that completely demotivated Okhota.

The 35-year-old pugilist was in dominant form through the World Championship in New Delhi and it was not much of a surprise when she entered the 48kg final with a unanimous 5:0 win over Hyang Mi Kim of North Korea.

Despite the passing years, Mary has only improved her reflexes and the vast experience helps her in analysing her opponents’ game quickly.