<p class="title">Five-time world champion M C Mary Kom (48kg) assured herself of a medal on debut at the Commonwealth Games by advancing to the semifinals while Vikas Krishan (75kg) entered the men's quarterfinals here on Sunday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 35-year-old Mary Kom sailed past Scotland's Megan Gordon to make the last-four stage with a 5-0 win. Her victory assured the Indian boxing contingent of its first medal here.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Also advancing, but to the quarterfinal stage, was World Championships bronze-medallist Vikas Krishan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Vikas also claimed a unanimous 5-0 verdict over Australia's Campbell Somerville but his endurance was once again put to test in the final three minutes of the bout as the local favourite turned on the intensity.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mary Kom, a sitting Rajya Sabha MP, will face Sri Lanka's Anusha Dilrukshi in the semifinal on April 11.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"This will be my first Commonwealth Games medal and I am happy to achieve that but gold is what I'm after," Mary Kom said after her win.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am fighting for 16 years. I know Megan and she will do well. I gave her advice to keep trying. Young people need exposure and preparation," she added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Indian veteran is the favourite to win the gold, which would be her third in the last five months.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She had won gold medals at the Asian Championships and the India Open before settling for a silver at the Strandja Memorial tournament in Bulgaria.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Vikas is also a top contender in his weight category and has come into the tournament on the back of a gold medal in Bulgaria.</p>
<p class="title">Five-time world champion M C Mary Kom (48kg) assured herself of a medal on debut at the Commonwealth Games by advancing to the semifinals while Vikas Krishan (75kg) entered the men's quarterfinals here on Sunday.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The 35-year-old Mary Kom sailed past Scotland's Megan Gordon to make the last-four stage with a 5-0 win. Her victory assured the Indian boxing contingent of its first medal here.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Also advancing, but to the quarterfinal stage, was World Championships bronze-medallist Vikas Krishan.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Vikas also claimed a unanimous 5-0 verdict over Australia's Campbell Somerville but his endurance was once again put to test in the final three minutes of the bout as the local favourite turned on the intensity.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Mary Kom, a sitting Rajya Sabha MP, will face Sri Lanka's Anusha Dilrukshi in the semifinal on April 11.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"This will be my first Commonwealth Games medal and I am happy to achieve that but gold is what I'm after," Mary Kom said after her win.</p>.<p class="bodytext">"I am fighting for 16 years. I know Megan and she will do well. I gave her advice to keep trying. Young people need exposure and preparation," she added.</p>.<p class="bodytext">The Indian veteran is the favourite to win the gold, which would be her third in the last five months.</p>.<p class="bodytext">She had won gold medals at the Asian Championships and the India Open before settling for a silver at the Strandja Memorial tournament in Bulgaria.</p>.<p class="bodytext">Vikas is also a top contender in his weight category and has come into the tournament on the back of a gold medal in Bulgaria.</p>