Mary Kom in Asian C'ship quarter-finals

Four-time world champion M C Mary Kom stormed into the quarter-finals with a thumping first-round triumph on an all-win day for the Indians at the fifth Asian Women's Boxing Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan.

Mary Kom, a Khel Ratna awardee, defeated Filipino Josie Gabeuco 8-1 in a lopsided bout to enter the pin weight (46kg) category quarter-finals.

The other Indian in action, Venlal Duati (48kg) was even more dominant as she out-classed Kyrgyzstan's Rahatova Nazira in just over a minute to march ahead.

The Manipuri was leading 9-0 when the referee awarded the bout to her. Duati too is into the quarter-finals now.

Mary Kom, who won silver in the previous edition of the event in Guwahati, said it was not too tough a bout to start with.

"It wasn't very difficult. I have got a good draw, it shouldn't be too tough but then, I am not taking anybody lightly either. Upsets happen, it's an unpredictable sport but I am confident about myself," Mary Kom said.

Mary Kom took a 3-0 lead in the opening round. She kept widening the gap with every round and didn't let Gabeuco strike a single scoring blow after the lone punch she managed in the second round of the bout.

India, which finished third in the previous edition of the event with three gold and two silver medals, have an 11-strong presence this year, comprising former world champions and other international medallists.

In all, 16 countries are participating in the tournament.