This article will tell you about the legendary career of female Indian boxer Mary Kom
Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, commonly known as Mary Kom, is a legendary Indian boxer who is widely regarded as one of the greatest female boxers in history. She was born on March 1, 1983, in Kangathei, a small village in Manipur, India.
Mary Kom’s journey in boxing started in 2000 when she was inspired by the success of Dingko Singh, another Indian boxer from Manipur who won a gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games.
Despite facing initial opposition from her family and community, Mary Kom persevered and started training under coach M. Narjit Singh.
Career Overview
In 2001, Mary Kom won her first national boxing championship, and her career took off from there. She went on to win several national and international competitions, including the Asian Women’s Boxing Championship, the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship, and the Commonwealth Games.
In 2008, Mary Kom participated in the inaugural women’s boxing competition at the Asian Games held in Guangzhou, China, and won the bronze medal in the 46 kg category.
The following year, she made history by becoming the first Indian woman to win a medal at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship. She won the gold medal in the 46 kg category by defeating Steluta Duta of Romania in the final.
Mary Kom’s biggest achievement came in the 2012 London Olympics, where she won the bronze medal in the 51 kg category. She became the first Indian woman boxer to qualify for the Olympics and the first Indian woman to win a medal in boxing.
Her achievement was a significant breakthrough for women’s boxing in India and inspired many young girls to take up the sport.
In the years that followed, Mary Kom continued to dominate women’s boxing, winning several medals in international competitions, including the gold medal at the Asian Women’s Boxing Championship in 2017.
She also won a silver medal at the 2018 Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia.
Mary Kom’s professional career took off in 2019 when she made her debut in the Indian Boxing League, where she represented the Punjab Panthers team. She won all her matches in the league and helped her team win the championship.
Honors & Achievements
Mary Kom’s remarkable career has earned her several accolades and honors, both in India and abroad. She has been awarded the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, three of the highest civilian honors in India.
She has also been honored with the Arjuna Award, Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna, and the People’s Choice Award for India’s Favorite Sportsperson.
Personal Life
Apart from her achievements in boxing, Mary Kom is also known for her philanthropic work. She runs the Mary Kom Regional Boxing Foundation, a non-profit organization that aims to promote boxing among underprivileged children in rural areas.
She has also been involved in various other social causes, including women’s empowerment, child rights, and environmental conservation.
In conclusion, Mary Kom’s career in boxing has been nothing short of remarkable. She has not only achieved great success in the sport but has also inspired a generation of young girls to take up boxing and break stereotypes. Her achievements and contributions have made her an icon and a role model for millions of people in India and around the world.
