Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom will resume her Tokyo 2020 Olympics journey with a Round of 16 match against third-seeded Ingrit Valencia of Colombia in the women’s 51kg, flyweight category.

The Indian pugilist defeated Dominican Republic’s Miguelina Hernandez 4-1 in her opening bout and showed why she is one of India’s medal hopefuls at the Summer Games. The veteran boxer put on a display of sheer dominance, studying her opponent in the opening two rounds before going in for her trademark barrage of punches.

“I have all the medals. Olympic medal (bronze) from 2012, Commonwealth Games gold, six-time gold at world championships. It’s not easy to count them, but the difficult part is continuously winning and performing, it’s not easy,” Kom said after her first fight in Tokyo.

“What is left is the Olympic gold medal. That is what is driving me and pushing me to carry on. I am trying my best, if I am able to get it then I will be so grateful, but if not then I will still be so happy for all the medals I have won in the past.”

In Ingrit Valencia though, Mary Kom faces a tough test. A bronze medallist at the 2016 Rio Games, Valencia will be in action for the first time in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics thanks to her third seeding. That said, Kom can take confidence from and count on her previous record against the Colombian. 

Mary Kom has faced Valencia twice in her career and has emerged victorious on both occasions, with their last meeting coming at the 2019 World Championship quarter-finals.

Where to watch Mary Kom’s Round of 16 Boxing event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics live in India?

Mary Kom will be in action at 3:36 PM on July 29 in the women’s 51kg boxing event at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The match will be telecast on Sony Sports Network channels in India.

Live streaming of boxing at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics will be available on the Sony Liv app and website.

Live broadcast subject to Sony Sports Network.

Featured photo: Twitter / Mary Kom