Mary Kom – a gutsy woman

MC Mary Kom becomes the first Indian woman boxer to clinch a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games at Incheon, South Korea in the women’s Flyweight category. She is a five times World Champion and Olympic bronze medallist. Mary Kom with 3 kids is a super mom!

Mary Kom at 31 is one of India’s best known boxers, She is an inspiration for women. Kom said, ‘It was my dream to motivate others.’ Kom has been trying to get her training routine on track, afte a two-year break (for birth of her baby). She added, ‘I never expected to win these many medals but I always had belief.’


This is the tale of an Indian woman with guts and determination, Olympic boxing bronze medallist Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom hailing from a remote village in Manipur, on how she sparred hardships in everyday life to go on and achieve glory for herself and the country. Mary Kom is not only an Olympic medalist, but a five-time successive World Boxing Champion.

Mary Kom was born on March 1, 1983, in Kangathei village (45km from state capital Impal) to mother M Saneikham Kom and father M Pontinkhup Kom. She was eldest of the four siblings. She is married to K Onler Kom with twin sons –Rechungvar and Khupneiver.

In the early days, Mary Kom assisted her mother on their small farmland and wove ‘punshi’ (shawl) and ‘punvei’ (wrap around) on the loom for their requirements. She loved to catch fish and help her father fetch logs he chopped in the woods and made charcoal, to sell in the village market to sustain the family.

Her entry into sports started with her habit of running. Complete one errand and run to the next. People told her that she was cut out to be a sprinter like PT Usha. Running brought her prizes in school. As the need to study in school that offered classes higher than eighth class, took her to Imphal. Here, Mary realized Manipuri athletes were doing well everywhere. And she thought if she was good enough, she would get a decent job if not medals. Job meant financial security in a state where jobs are few. Athletics coach Kosana Meitei advised her to switch to boxing when women’s boxing was introduced in 1999 Imphal National games. It did not take long for her to make an impression and win her first medal, her first gold medal in state boxing championship.

She received her first international women’s boxing championship gold at Pecs, Hungary in 2002. She has made history – as the only Indian to qualify for the first Olympic women’s boxing event and won Bronze medal in 2012 Summer Olympics in London, UK. She often had to prove a point – first when people said boxing was not for girls, then when they said she could not win after marriage, and later when they said her career was finished after giving birth to twins, she replied by winning her fourth world title.

Mary feels proud she won the medal for the country and specially when her community elders say she has put her minority tribe – the Koms, who number around 15,000 – on the world map. She will be 33 when Rio de Janeiro (2016 Olympics) happens. And she has great hopes.

‘Mary kaun to Mary Kom’ –  has been a tough journey of hardship, sacrifice and sheer determination; a lesson for others who wish to emulate her and bring glory to oneself and the country.

A film based on Mary Kom’s life will be releasing soon. Popular Bollywood actress Priyaka Chopra is essaying her role. She has done justice to the biopic of Mary Kom. Mary Kom and Priyanka Chopra became good friends before and during the shooting of the biopic. Mary Kom sent Priyanka a dress from Manipur, which she wore in the film. Priyanka was trained by Mary Kom’s coach. The film shows Mary Kom’s life, struggles, success and glory. And how a poor girl from remote Manipur came on the national and international scene through sheer determination and hardwork. It sure will motivate others to do the same and bring glory to themselves and the country.

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