Three-time champion M C Mary Kom will aim for a quartet of titles besides leadingIndia to a second successive team crown when the fifth World Women's Boxing Championships kick off in China on Saturday. Mary Kom (46kg) failed to retain her Asian Championship gold medal in September but bounced back to clinch the national title this month in a roller-coaster comeback after being away from the ring for almost two years to take care of her twin babies.
The pint-sized Manipur boxer was the star of India's stellar performance in the 2006 World Championships in New Delhi where the local girls won four gold, a silver and three bronze medals to beat favourites and defending champions Russia for the overall title.
India competed in all 13 categories last time around but has sent a reduced seven-member squad this time though six of them were there in action in New Delhi.
L Sarita Devi, a reigning national champion and the gold medallist two years ago in the 52kg division, is part of the team. Also in the team for the event is last edition's feather weight division silver medal winner N Usha.
Haryana boxer Chotto Laura, who won a bronze in New Delhi, would be hoping to better her performance in the 50kg category.
The bespectacled boxer, however, has been battling some indifferent form off-late, losing in the quarterfinals of the Asian Championships and failing to defend her national title as well.