India still look up to Mary Kom

GOING STRONG The fivetime champion boxer still packs a punch at age of 35 and remains an inspiration

From 2001 onwards, MC Mary Kom has been the pillar of Indian women’s boxing. The 10th edition of the World Championships starting on Thursday is here and the legend is again ready to pack a punch, this time to win her second gold medal at home.

In 2006 when the event was held here, she spearheaded India to an unprecedented first place finish. The hosts bagged a whopping eight medals, including four gold. But those were nascent days. Women’s boxing was still not in the Olympics. Once it was included in the 2012 London Games, it proved a big boost with many nations promoting it.

Mary Kom achieved her dream of an Olympic medal with a bronze in London; she didn’t qualify for Rio but is eyeing 2020 Tokyo. Only time will tell if the 35-year-old will have the drive and fitness to win another Olympic medal, but this year, she has raised the stakes. She was the only Indian to win a medal at the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games, a gold. She skipped Asian Games and others didn’t impress.

It shows how dependent India are on ‘Magnificent Mary’. The younger lot needs to show more hunger and spunk, and no better platform than the worlds at home.

Indian boxers will compete in all 10 categories. The experience of Mary Kom and L Sarita Devi, another stalwart who also won gold in 2006, will come in handy. It is also an opportunity for youngsters like Manisha Moun (54kg) and Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) to test themselves against the toughest in world boxing.

India’s Italian coach Raffaele Bergamasco, who has been with the team since December 2017, is confident. “We’ve had very good training and sparring against foreign boxers and we are well prepared. We look forward to a few medals. It’s not only Mary and Sarita but Manisha, Simranjit in 64, and Lovlina --- medals are possible.

“It is the best field in the last three editions. There are big names, 72 countries, 315 girls, all categories are very strong. Nothing will come easy.”

The three Olympic categories -- 51kg, 60kg and 75kg -- will be hard fought. AIBA is set to add 57kg and 69kg also for Tokyo.

“I have two years in India but I am happy the girls are improving. They are stronger now and working on a new methodology.”