The whole country has joined hands to congratulate MC Mary Kom for winning the fifth consecutive World Title at the Women’s Boxing Championship. Kom achieved this feat on 18th September, 2010 at Bridgetown, Barbados.
The Manipuri brave heart had bagged her four previous golds in the 46 kg category. This time, she switched to 48 kgs. Kom is considered as an undisputed champion in this category. She had won against Alice Kate Aparri of Philippines in the semifinal.
India has won medals at each of the six Women’s World Boxing Championships, five of them gold. Both feats are unmatched in Kom’s sport, and have prompted the International Boxing Federation to describe her as the “world’s best female boxer”.
The game was really a stroll through, wherein until the quarter final stage Kom had conceded 3 points, where she beat Lynsey Holdaway of Wales 9-2. In the pre-quarters, the referee decided to end her bout after she raced away to a 9-0 lead against Australian Jenny Smith in the first round. In the final, Kom beat Steluta Duta of Romania 16-6. The final round was all the more breath taking as both the competitors were determined to establish the rhythm of the match in their favor. Kom was very accurate in her punches and counter pitching.
When quizzed about her success, Mary Kom shared, “Winning a final bout puts you in a state of shock, followed by immediate exhilaration. It is a vindication of all the sacrifices you’ve made and an affirmation of your abilities.” She attributed her achievements to her husband K. Onler Kom. He expressed his pride too: “Wherever she goes, she is unbeatable—it’s incredible. Imagine the national flag is being lifted for her and the national anthem sung for her throughout the world.” The couple has also been running a boxing academy at their house in Imphal since 2007. It currently houses 30 trainees—10 girls and 20 boys, aged 14-21.
Kom is unhappy that the Commonwealth Games in Delhi will not feature women’s boxing, but feels that its inclusion in the 2010 Asian Games and the 2012 London Olympics more than makes up for it. “Olympic gold is the last challenge left for me,” she says. “I have the will and desire to continue till 2012 and win gold, and then I’ll be done. I’ll retire and concentrate on coaching at my academy.”
The Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh announced a cash prize of Rs. 10 lakh to Mary Kom for recognition of her historic feat. However, it’s true that she is the inspiration for all budding sportspersons and deserves much more appreciation than mere words and cash rewards.
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Aditi Rindani 