|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Five-time World Champion in the 48-kg weight category and a mother of two, Manipuri boxer Mary Kom had already enough to her credit to register her name among the top players in Indian sports history. But Olympics is a dream she has cherished all these years. And now that women’s boxing has made its debut in the London Olympics, she can turn her dream into reality. She is also the first Indian woman pugilist to participate in the Olympics. Mary Kom had jumped into the 51-kg weight category just a couple of months back for this championship held at China. It is because only three weight categories have been included for women boxers in Olympics — 51 kg, 60 kg and 75 kg. It was the sole Olympic qualifying event, despite displaying spectacular skills, Mary could not make a podium finish. But this competition certainly gave her the opportunity to compete against some strong players whom she had never faced in past. It helped her discover their strengths and weaknesses. Expressing delight over her selection, Mary said she was extremely happy. "I have waited really long for women boxing to be included in the Olympics. And now that this has actually happened, I am really thankful to the IABF, Sports Ministry, my coaches who have helped me come this far. I am obliged to the entire nation for supporting me and keeping their faith in me intact. I promise I will not disappoint them," she smiled. Talking about her preparation, Mary says she still has a lot to do. "I have to work on mental and physical fitness. I also have to study my opponents’ games before entering the mega event. I will need everything — strength, agility, endurance. And will have to make the best use of my experience to win a gold medal for India. I am therefore preparing myself accordingly," she adds. Citing hard work as the reason behind her success, Mary says, "Though everyone says this but I will like to repeat that there is no shortcut to success. When we started playing, there were limited facilities but now a days; youngsters have everything at their disposal. So, they should make the most of it and follow their dreams. I did, and it is paying off now," adds the shy achiever.
|
||
|
|
||
AFTER years of dedicated
effort, coupled with the recognition of being the winner of five World
Boxing Championships, finally ‘Magnificent Mary’, MC Mary Kom
(29), will represent India in the London Olympics. She managed to sail
through in the first and the last qualifying event — the seventh
AIBA World Women Boxing Championship at China recently. Although Mary
Kom had lost in the quarterfinals, she still got an Olympic berth
after her English opponent Nicola Adams reached the finals in the
51-kg weight category. As there were only two berths reserved for the
Asian continent, the first one went to Ren Cancan from China, who won
a gold medal in this category. Lady luck favoured Mary Kom who got the
second spot. Though she was a little disappointed as it was the first
time that she did not win any medal in the World Championship ever
since it began in 2001, her qualification
made up for the medal. The Indian camp could not have asked for more.
She is the sole Indian women boxer, who will compete with an
eye to win a medal.