Indian eves bag world boxing gold

Mary Kom achieved a hat-trick as hosts India grabbed four victories to claim team honours in the fourth world women's boxing championships on Thursday.

The diminutive 25-year-old scored a clear points victory over Romanian Steluta Duta in the 46 kg, the lowest weight category of the 13 title bouts.

Her compatriots Sarita Devi (52 kg), Ralte Jenny (63 kg) and Kozhummel Lekha (75 kg) also won, helping the hosts to tally 34 points and finish ahead of Russia by six points.

Russia won three titles after Elena Surkova (86 kg) and Irina Sinetskaya (80 kg) took the two heaviest weight categories and Sofya Ochigava emerged victorious in the 54 kg final.

European nations, regarded as coming from the strongest region in the sport, managed only six titles after claiming all but two finals in the last edition.

North Korea's Yum Kum-Ju was declared the best boxer as the Asian nation claimed two titles. Canada, Turkey, Ireland and France claimed one victory each.