It’s official. M C Mary Kom is the most successful boxer in the annals of women’s World Championships. The 35-year-old scripted history by clinching her sixth gold medal with an unanimous 5-0 result over Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota in the 48-kg category in New Delhi on 24 November.

Before the 2018 World Championships, Mary Kom was tied with Ireland’s Katie Taylor (five gold and a bronze) on the number of medals won by a female boxer. With the latest triumph, Mary Kom matched Cuban legend Felix Savon as the joint most successful boxer (men and women) in World Championships.

The Manipuri won a silver in the inaugural World Championships in 2001 and went on to claim a gold each in the next five editions - 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010.

Apart from Mary Kom’s gold, India ended the 2018 World Championships with a silver (Sonia Chahal, 57kg) and two bronze (Lovlina Borgohain, 69kg, and Simranjit Kaur, 64kg). The host nation finished third in the overall standings behind China and Taipei.

Speaking to PTI after her victory, Mary Kom said there is a lot of work to be done as she has to jump to the 51-kg category to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Her Olympic bronze came in the 51kg at the 2012 Games.

“I have fought in 48kg for many years, but this is not in Olympics. I had to jump weight to 51kg three years back. I have to go back to 51kg to be able to compete in 2020 Olympics. Getting a gold in Tokyo will not be easy, but I will try my best,” she said. “In 51kg, the boxers are taller and stronger and I have to beat them. That gives advantage in 48kg.”

The mother of three is expected to compete in the 51-kg category at the next 2019 World Championships in Russia as well as the Asian Championships, which India is bidding for. Both these will be 2020 Olympics qualifiers.