Mary Kom, Vikas Krishan Get AIBA Special Awards

Both Indian boxers MC Mary Kom and Vikas Krishan added another feather in their caps when they were given special awards at International Boxing Association's (AIBA) 70th anniversary gala in Montreux, Switzerland.

While five-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom was presented the AIBA Legends award for her trailblazing boxing career, Vikas was handed the APB (AIBA Pro Boxing) Best Boxer trophy.

"I would like to thank AIBA President Dr Wu for giving me this award along with APB Director Mr Mirko Wolf. We had no federation for the last four years but now we have one and all of them are working hard and I hope we will do well in the future," Vikas, who competed in two APB bouts this year, said after receiving his trophy.

Thank you for all champs #AIBALegends - @Klitschko @MangteC @brahiminside #FelixSavon pic.twitter.com/JHrf9G7Vso

— AIBA (@AIBA_Boxing) December 21, 2016

Mary Kom was picked for the honour for her decorated career during which she also won multiple Asian Championships gold medals besides the spectacular feat of five world titles. She was christened 'Magnificent Mary' by AIBA after her fourth world title back in 2008 and was also one of the eight brand ambassadors for the event this year.

The 33-year-old Manipuri recently decided to move back to the 48kg category after four years in 51kg. Her move came amid speculation that 48kg could be among the weight categories that would get a place in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics roster.

Vikas, meanwhile, won a bronze medal in the Olympic qualifying tournament besides finishing a quarterfinalist in the main event in Rio.

(With PTI inputs)