Mary Kom - a tribute..

Now, who are we talking about? Here goes the story about an Indian - a World Champion...

What do you say of a country girl of extremely poor parentage who got schooled on behalf of family’s bread and jam at Loktak Christian Model High School and St. Xavier’s Moirang, Manipur, and who switched over her penchant for athletics midway to a passionate love for amateur boxing?
The name is popularly known as M.C.Mary Kom. M.C stands for Mangte Chungneijang.

                                                                                      
Father - M.Tonpu Kom; Mother Saneikham Kom ; Husband - K Onler Kom.
She took to sports in an effort to provide some financial support to her family. Initially an all-round athlete, the 400-m and javelin were her pet events. Her interest in boxing was inspired by the success of Manipuri male boxer Dingko Singh. 
 
She initially tried to keep her interest in the sweet science from her father, M. Tonpu Kom, and mother Saneikham Kom, but winning a 2000 State championship got her photograph in the newspaper - and her secret was out of the bag:

"I still remember I was castigated by my father who said with a battered and bruised face, I should not expect to get married. He was furious that I took to boxing - a taboo for women - and he did not have the slightest idea about it. But my passion for the sport had got the better of me and I thank my cousins who coaxed and cajoled my father into eventually giving his nod. I'm happy that I did not let anybody down," she told the Deccan Herald in September 2004.

After winning her first title and Best Boxer at the First State Level Invitation women's boxing championship in Manipur in 2000, Merykom went on to win the gold in the Seventh East India Women’s Boxing Championship held in West Bengal and subsequently to win five Indian National Championships from 2000 to 2005. 
Her once-skeptical father accompanied his trail-blazing daughter to the ceremony in 2004 at which she was the first woman ever to receive India's prestigious Arjuna award for her achievement in boxing.
She also embarked on an international campaign that has brought her a series of gold medals and honors, though not without a few setbacks.

On her way by train to the selection camp for her first Asian Women’s Boxing Championships in Bangkok, Thailand, she had all her luggage and her passport stolen. Her parents asked her to come home but she carried on her course. "My saviour was a city-based uncle, who said he’d fix everything if I got selected. I did, but I returned empty handed (from the meet in Bangkok). The stress following the loss of documents and luggage interfered with my training." Her solution was still more training. "We girls really worked hard. Women’s boxing was a very recent introduction, and we really wanted to excel."

A never say die attitude:
Arjuna awards selection committee chairman Milkha Singh struck off her name saying that he did not know which sport she competed in..
"I was extremely pained when I was denied the Khel Ratna Award. I  had three world titles under my belt but the selection panel did not find me good enough to get the award. I was very upset because the panel had some eminent sports persons, including the legendary Milkha Singh. At least they should have realized my contribution. It happened to me twice," the boxer said with regret.
Mary Kom said despite being ignored time and again, she was not going to call it quits so easily.

"I hope they include women's boxing in the Asian Games and the Commonwealth Games. People will then know how I bring honours for the nation. I am sure my greatest moment will be when I will be able to represent the country in the London Olympics in 2012.I am waiting for that day," she said.

"It is not easy to pursue the sport when you have two kids back home waiting for their mother. But fortunately, I have a very caring husband, who takes care of my sons. Both of us see to it that the family life is not disturbed," said the boxer.

She received the Arjuna Award in 2004 and the Padma Shri in 2006.

On August 29, 2009 she was selected for the India's highest sporting honour, the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award alongside boxer Vijender Singh and wrestler Sushil Kumar.

She became the International Boxing Association’s Ambassador for Women’s Boxing 2009..

Like most world-class amateur female boxers, Mary Kom now hopes to compete in the Olympic Games some day. "Now I will dream again to represent India in the Olympics at least once till the time my body permits."


Its women like Mary who makes India / world go merry.... My salutations to one  of the most successful woman pugilists ever to grace this earth. She is one really  proud mother of Mother India..