Manipur's Mangte Chungneijang Merykom more commonly know as Mary Kom is the most promising Indian female boxer. The mother of two beat all odds at November's Asian Indoor Games to win GOLD and was iSport's 'Athlete of the Month'.
(iSport apologizes to its readers for a late release of this story. Mary Kom was away and resting with her family. While we did get in touch with her for the story, we also chose to respect her privacy. Though Virender Sehwag is the Athlete of the Month for December, the Athlete of the Month for November very much belonged to MC Mary Kom!)
Boxing is gathering momentum in India - especially after Vijender Singh's Olympic success and now recently being crowned as World's No. 1 boxer.
While many believe that boxing is much of a male sport, we beg to differ. There are as many female boxers at international competitions as mens'. While Laila Ali might have been one of the only well known female boxers in recent times, that too due to her pedigree, we have MC Mary Kom who is boxing her way to international glory much against the turmoil with national federations. Mary shares her story and more with iSport.
"Taking inspiration from Dingo Singh who is a fellow boxer from Manipur, Mary switched from being an athlete to a pro boxer in 2000 and immediately realized her God gifted talent to be one.
In her first AIBA World Women's Boxing Championship in Scranton, USA in 2001, the 18-year-old Mary Kom had to settle for silver but in her second attempt in 2002 at the Second AIBA World Women’s Senior Boxing Championship she struck gold.
Mary Kom won the gold medal at recent Asian Indoor games held in Vietnam, the first two rounds were bit slow and filled with surprise decisions, but when she got into the grind she left no room for her opponent."
iSport.in got in touch with ‘Magnificent Mary’ and here is what she has to say:
iSport: Congratulations on winning the Gold, after a 2 year break you won the World Amateur Boxing gold in 2008 and now the 2009 Asian Indoor Games Gold, how does it feel?
Mary Kom: I am happy for I can still go ahead, and it is the support I get from my husband K.Onler and the Boxing Federation of India that keeps me going.
iSport: Tell us about the final match, the first few rounds were low scoring for both you and Hoa Nguyen Thi but then you picked up many points from round 3. Tell us more about how it was?
Mary Kom: Sometimes it is not easy to fight in speed, I have to look at my opponents technique, speed of her punches, so that I can apply a technique which is suitable to win my bout.
iSport: You had received two warnings from the Vietnamese referee during the match, that must have cost you a few points, did it affect your concentration and loose sight of the Gold?
Mary Kom: Oh! I never expected I'll get a warning, the decision came as a surprise to me. But I never lost concentration rather I played my own game as I knew the match was mine.
iSport: The National Boxing Championship issue and fracas it created - did it affect your performance or did it add strength to win Gold?
Mary Kom: The Gold medal I won from indoor Asian Games just after the National Championship shows that I am still fit, the issue did not effect my performance at all.
iSport: Being a mother of two and yet winning golds in a sport which is physically very demanding, how do you manage to perform at such optimum levels and balance both your worlds - of having a family and serving our country?
Mary Kom: I have will power, physical fitness and more over my husband has been extremely supportive of my sport and of course my trust in God.
iSport: How is your boxing academy for girls doing? How do you think is the sport growing for Indian women?
Mary Kom: My boxing academy was set up in Dec. 2007 by my husband. Mayn National sub junior medalists and many state medalists are coming up from my academy - so the start has been good. Its not easy to maintain as I am managing it from my personal resources.
iSport: Who do you rate highly as boxer on the international and national front. Any upcoming Indian boxer that you are particularly following.
Mary Kom: Lets stick to the international stars - I liked the way Laila Ali and Mike Tyson fought, their technique was much different as compared to others.
iSport: Vijender Singh being crowned as World No. 1 last month - boxing surely has great potential, but do you think its concentrated mainly in the northern parts of India?
Mary Kom: Vijender is a good boxer and faithful in what he preaches. As he is an international figure, I hope he can spread the popularity of the sport in India.
iSport: How is Olympic Gold Quest's support in your attempts to win Gold for India at the 2012 Olympic Games in London?
Mary Kom: I am happy to OGQ for their support and encouragement. We are aware of our needs for each other. Plans are in process and I am sure that best things will be done for me.
iSport: Any other sport that you play or follow?
Mary Kom: I play Badminton and of course I was an athlete I used to run 20-25 kilometre in a day back in 2000, and yes I am a singer too… [Laughs!]
iSport: Any message for your fans?
Mary Kom: Thanks for all the support and cheers.
iSport also connected with former India hockey player and now the Chief Operations Officer of Olympic Gold Quest Viren Rasquinha on his views on Mary and her success. A typical Viren quoted, "MC is an exceptional athlete and a tremendous inspiration for all".
iSport would like to extend heartiest congratulations and good wishes to Mary Kom!
Mary Kom was the Athlete of the Month for November. To know and read about the Athlete of the Month for December - Click here.
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Kunal Shah
said:
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... Boxed her way through the mess that the Boxing Federation of India created and won GOLD. True champion stuff!!  Kudos! |
a guest
said:
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... She is true champion....the unfortunnate incident did not deter her determination...we know many babus sitting there might have hung their face in shame when she won Gold in Vietnam. Best of luck lady! |
Praneet Mhatre
said:
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... She has always been my favourite Indian sportswoman. Just looking at her innocent manner and listening to her speak can be so refreshing! |
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