I still have a point to prove, says Mary Kom
NEWDELHI: The large boxing hall at the Indira Gandhi Indoor Stadium echoes with cries as 20-odd girls from India’s new generation of women boxers land powerful blows that land with a thud on a row of punching bags.
But the eyes of most of the teenagers are on the smallest person in the hall. MC Mary Kom finishes her warm-up before swinging over the ropes into the farthest ring, quickly throwing a combination punches with her personal trainer of two years, Chhote Lal, guiding her.
Five World Cup titles between 2002-2010 established Mary Kom as a pioneer in women’s boxing, which was approved as an Olympic sport. But a crunched competition meant she had to shift from 48kg class to 51kg. She still finished with bronze in the 2012 London Games.
› Competition has gone up. No country is weak now. Today, we can’t afford to take boxers from any country lightly. On the competition
SWEATING IT OUT
Although an autobiography, biopic and Rajya Sabha nomination followed, Mary Kom’s career seemed at an end after she failed to qualify for the 2016 Rio Games. But she is back in the Indian team for Asian women’s boxing that starts on November 2 in Vietnam.
An hour’s sparring didn’t betray any lack of stamina, but groans as the physio stretched her tired muscles at the end showed it takes a lot for the mother of three to stay in shape.
“I can say I’m fit and fine, I’m ready to fight,” she grinned in a chat with Hindustan Times, pointing out there are no ‘weak countries’ anymore in the sport. Mary Kom is happy she can compete in 48kg at Ho Chi Minh City.
“My actual weight is 48kg. Earlier, I was fighting in a higher category. It is very tough to train and then to re-fill, increase weight, (it’s) very difficult for me.”
POINT TO PROVE
Mary Kom feels she has a point to prove to those who feel her Rajya Sabha nomination meant her long career will finally end.
“People may think now that I have become an MP, I may not be able to continue… But everything I have got is thanks to boxing. Why will I leave it? I want to continue to box for a year or two. I want to show people, those who have a negative perception, and prove to people in every corner of this country. I don’t know whether I will be able to (win medals), but I am working hard.”
She adds: “Every athlete dreams of winning gold, and mine is no different.”
Indian boxers, including Beijing Olympic bronze medallist Vijender Singh and his contemporary Akhil Kumar haven’t really taken off as professionals. Even leading woman boxer, Sarita Devi, did not progress beyond one pro bout, and is in the squad for the Asian meet.
“I don’t want to say something that would appear I am interfering with what they are doing,” says Mary Kom. “I also had the offer. I don’t want to fight for money; I want to fight for the country. That is the reason I am continuing (as amateur).”
The women’s world youth championships will be held in Guwahati in November and Mary Kom feels holding a major event will further boost boxing in the NorthEast.
› I don’t want to fight for money; I want to fight for the country. That is the reason I am continuing as an amateur On why she hasn’t turned pro