(SEPT 27)  The 17^th Edition of the Asian Games is now in full swing in Incheon, South Korea, where on today (27^th) the 40 athletes entered in the inaugural women’s boxing tournament see action for the first time. 

The 2014 Asian Games, officially known as the XVII Asiad, is the largest sporting event in Asia governed by Olympic Council of Asia (OCA). It is taking place in Incheon, Korea’s port city, South Korea from September 19 through Oct. 4, featuring 439 events in 36 sports. 

Incheon was awarded the right on April 17, 2007, defeating Delhi, India to host the Games. Incheon is the third city in South Korea after Seoul (1986) and Busan (2002) to host the Asian Games.

Again the women’s boxing tournament is restricted to the three Olympic weights – up to 51kg, 60kg and 75kg and among the pre-tournament favourites are Tajikistan’s Mavzuna Chorieva who had the privilege of leading her country’s sports stars in the colourful Opening Ceremony. Mavzuna you will recall was the first Tajikistan sportsperson to win an Olympic medal when she struck bronze in London 2012, losing only to the eventual Gold medallist, Ireland’s Katie Taylor in the semi-final. 

Another to feature in Incheon is India’s Mary Kom, the only woman to have won a world AIBA title five times and who later this year will be seeking a sixth crown when the 2014 championships return to South Korea, this time to Jeju Island in November. India has three representatives in action on the first day of the women’s programme: 

M C Mary Kom (IND) v Kim Yeji(KOR)  (women's 51kg round of 16); L Sarita Devi(IND) v Ri Chungson (PRK)  (women's 60kg round of 16); Pooja Rani (IND) v Erdenesoyol Undram (MGL)  (women's 75kg round of 16) 

Chorieva and Mary Kom apart there are several outstanding boxers in this tournament among them, Josie Gabuco (PHI),Haijuan Si (CHN) and Zhaina Shekerbekova (KAZ) in the flyweights. The pick of the 60kg lightweights include: India’s Laishram Sarita Devi,the host nation’s Jina Park, China’s Junhua Yin, Thailand’s Tassamalee Thongjan and Ri Chungson of the People’s Republic of Korea. 

Turning to the 75kg category it is difficult to look further than Marina Volnova (KAZ) albeit she faces stiff opposition from Qian Li of China, and the winner of the last 16 bout between India’s Rani Pooja and the highly skilful Mongolian Undram Erdenesoyol. 

Women’s boxing though has vastly improved in Asia since 2012 so do not be surprised if some shocks are in store for some of the old favourites. India has dominated the recent men’s events but this year Kazakhstan seem certain to emerge as the top nation whereas the Chinese women who have previously dominated tournaments in the region may well find themselves playing a less important role this time round.