Women's World Boxing Championship: Sonia Lather settles for silver, loses to Italian Alessia Mesiano in 57kg final

Image Courtesy: Facebook (Soni Lather)

Astana, Kazakhstan: Sonia Lather on Friday settled for a silver medal after losing the 57 kg final bout to Italian Alessia Mesiano at AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship in Astana.

The 24-year-old fell one-win short of ending India's six-year-old gold medal drought at the prestigious event.

Sonia's performance is the lone bright spot in an otherwise disappointing show by the Indians in the event, where none from the country, including the celebrated M C Mary Kom, could qualify for Rio Games in the three Olympic categories of 51kg, 60kg and 75 kg.

India have not won a gold at this event since 2010 when Mary Kom had finished on top in the 48kg category to clinch her fifth world title.

This year's performance continues India's falling stock in the prestigious event. Mary Kom (51kg), who was christened 'The Magnificent Mary' by the world body for her feats at the tournament, could only go till as far as the second round this time.

In the 2014 edition in South Korea, India had won two silver medals through Sarjubala Devi (48kg) and Saweety (81kg), both of whom losing in the quarterfinals in the ongoing edition.

The absence of a national federation has played a huge role in the steady decline as women boxers have suffered more than men in terms of international exposure.

(With Agency inputs)