Mary Kom, who doesn’t know this name?
She is the epitome of strength, determination, and resilience. Mary is an ordinary girl who bravely pursued her dreams against all odds and proved to the world that nothing is bigger than one’s desire to win. She proved that your background does not hold any power over you.
Mary was born in a poor family in Kagathei village in the Churachandpur district of Manipur. She grew up surrounded by a community that believed that sports were just meant for boys. Hence, her journey was not easy and was filled with challenges. Despite hailing from a family that had faced a lot of financial challenges, she used to practice with makeshift pieces of equipment which displayed her relentless spirit and dedication to the sport.
Her journey to glory began in the year 2000 when she won the Manipur State Women’s Boxing Championship. From thereon she made her international debut at the first AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship which was held in the United States. Mary won a silver medal in the 48 kg weight category. There was no stopping her after she bagged her first international medal. Let’s have a look at all the medals won by our Magnificent Mary –
- 6 golds, 1 silver and 1 bronze medals in the AIBA Women’s World Championships
- 1 gold medal in the Witch Cup
- 5 golds and 1 silver medals in the Asian Women’s Championships
- 1 gold medal in the Women’s World Cup
- 1 gold medal in the Venus Women’s Box Cup
- 1 gold medal in the Asian Indoor Games
- 1 gold and 1 bronze medal in the Asian Games
- 1 gold medal in Asian Women’s Cup
- 1 bronze medal in the Olympics
- 1 gold medal in the Commonwealth Games
Mary became the first female boxer in boxing history to have captured six world titles. She also became the first boxer from India to clinch a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games. Apart from the Asian Games she also became the first Indian to win a gold medal at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships.
In a largely patriarchal society where people believe that women are born to raise families, the 41-year-old Magnificent Mary broke all the stereotypes. Many people speculated that her career would come to an end when she gave birth to twins in 2007. Mary came back with a bang in 2008 by clinching the gold medal at the AIBA Women’s World Championships. She gave birth to a third child in 2013 and again proved society wrong when she returned for the 2014 Asian Games, clinched a gold, and became the first Indian boxer to do so. She is a perfect example of the quote, “You can do anything you set your mind to.”
Mary announced her retirement from boxing on 24th January 2024.
“I have the hunger still but unfortunately because of the age limit it is over I cannot compete in any competition. I want to play more but I am being forced to quit (due to the age limit). I have to retire. I have achieved everything in my life,” Mary said during an event. She has become an icon to countless young girls in our country. She has also set an example that women are no less than men and can achieve whatever they desire even after giving birth to three kids.
The nation salutes her passion and dedication to the sport and also her love for her country. Thank you for all the memories. Your action in the ring will surely be missed.
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