Mumbai: ‘Magnificent’ is a part of her nickname, unlike Mother Mary she doesn’t shower words of wisdom, she prefers action. MC Mary Kom – a five-time world champion and the first Indian woman boxer to clinch an Asian Games gold – missed the World Championships due to an injury but she never misses out on training.
“I cannot stop training. I can rest for a day or two in between but not the whole week,” said the 31-year-old at an event here where her boxing academy received a donation of Rs 5 lakh from a private insurance company.
(MC Mary Kom with husband Onler Karong, along with former India hockey captain Viren Rasquinha (second from left), and other dignitaries, pose with the cheque in Mumbai on Thursday)
Mary is hopeful of a comeback next year. She doesn’t seem to have a criterion for the tournament she plays next. “It can be any competition, but I have to do well in the next one I play,” she said.
The customary question among her fans is how she bears so many injuries in a career with monumental performances. “I would say becoming a World Champion is easy, maintaining the performance is difficult. I have had three surgeries before. So my hamstring, my back keep creating problems. This shoulder injury, I feel, is a minor one. If I get proper treatment, it will be fine,” added Mary.
Though Mary ruled herself out of the World Championships, she is not spared of the hullabaloo surrounding her replacement, Pinki Rani. The murmurs confirmed the stature of the brand Mary. It is not easy to replace a champion. What does she have to say to that?
“Honestly, there are too many debates around. It is not about who can replace, who cannot replace. I don’t want to talk about it. If I play, people expect me to do well, and I try to do better with each tournament. I could not unfollow the World Championship, I keep hearing about it but I don’t have the idea who can get the medal for the country,” she added.
However, the lady – also a mother of three – is aware of the tough contenders at present compared to the time when she first wore the glove.
“It is getting difficult day by day. We have to be careful in every bout. Even the weak countries like Myanmar are becoming strong. It is also because of the presence of boxing in Olympics, Commonwealth Games and Asian Games and the popularity involved,” said Mary, who could not qualify for the Commonwealth Games earlier this year at Glasgow.
The biopic was a screech into the ears of many who thought following dreams isn’t the route to success. The woman, before and after marriage, and the obstacles she faced once she decided to be a boxer was portrayed vividly in the film and it did change many perceptions.
“After seeing the film, people can continue to believe in their dreams, they will surely achieve what they want in their profession,” said Mary, who is worshipped by her native people.
But the woman refused to spare words on International Boxing Association’s decision on L Sarita Devi – her neighbour who refused the bronze medal at the podium during the Asian Games in Incheon. “If I talk about her, there will be too many controversies. I don’t want that in my career. All I can say is that it will be good if the ban is lifted as soon as possible,” she said.
During the sabbatical she took before punching her way back into the ring, she spent a good time with her family.
“Now my kids have grown up, I don’t know how fast it happened. I could not give them time before. They used to be with me during these events too,” she added.
Nonetheless, the boxer is confident of spotting future stars through her school. She already received the first instalment and is waiting for the construction to be over by the end of the year.
“As soon as the funds are in place, gymnasium and outdoor facilities are done, we can judge the fresh talents. You need the complete facility to inspect and work on the boxer’s strength. As of now, we’ve just given them the glove to practice in the open,” said Mary.
