Guangzhou, Nov 24 (IANS) India's gold medal hope MC Mary Kom lost to Ren Cancan of China 7-11 in the semifinals and settled for a women's boxing bronze at the Asian Games here Wednesday.
Mary Kom, a five-time world champion, trailed from the start against Ren in the 48-51 kg category. Ren, the world champion in the 51kg, opened up a 3-1 lead before Mary Kom narrowed it down to 3-4 after the second round.
The Chinese, however, dominated the third round, scoring three points to Mary Kom's 1 to move ahead. Ren was as good with her defence as she was with her attack and that frustrated Mary Kom, who desperately searched for a opening to land her punches. Ren, however, gave her no room and counter-punched with great effect to take the fight beyond the Indian.
Another Indian, Kavita Goyat, also settled for a bronze after losing her semifinals bout to Jinzi Li of China.
Goyat lost 1-5 to in the 69-75 kg weight category.
The Chinese opened up a 3-1 lead in the first round and added two more points in the fourth and final round, even as Kavita failed to score any point.