Mary Kom, six-time Boxing World champion, is slowly preparing for the Tokyo Olympics. The lockdown has been bad for players who could not focus on their fitness and exercise regime. But now things are beginning to move.
“This time my aim is going to try and get gold, the Olympic bronze medallist said. In a online Facebook session, Mary revealed her philosophy on success.
“I don’t have any mantras for success. Just work hard and be honest to what you are doing, that’s all. Ups and downs are always a part of life.
Mary Kom’s Early Life
Mary belonged to a humble and poor family. Her life was well portrayed by Priyanka Chopra in the biopic film Mary Kom produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. The film was a great success and inspired many to take up sports as a career.
In an online session for Young players on Facebook, Mary revealed, “My boxing journey was not easy. To reach national, international and Olympic level is not easy. But if you have the will, and want to achieve in life, you can,” she added.
“My early life was very difficult. Coming from a tribal community of north-eastern Manipur, it was so difficult. I can’t explain the hardships. I don’t want to even remember it. “
It was after her victory in the Manipur state women’s boxing championship in 2000, that her career became public and she started competing at international level at the age of 18.
Today Mary Kom is an inspiration for many mothers and women. The President of India nominated her as Rajya Sabha MP in 2016. After her sixth world title in 2018, the Government of Manipur has conferred on her the title “Meethoi Leima”, loosely translated as great or exceptional lady in a felicitation ceremony held in Imphal on 11 December 2018.
Her advice to young players and girls is, “Be persistant and never give up on your dreams.”
Mary Kom in Lockdown
Due to the Covid-19 lockdown Mary Kom spent most of the time at home with her children. To inspire other young players and fans, she posted, “Work out, eat well and be patient,” on Twitter. She urged everyone to be patient.
She recently conducted an online education programme for the Boxing Federation of India.
Here she explained the nuances of injury-management to fellow boxers. “Interacting with them (doctors and physios) helped me understand the importance of being aware of my body. How doing exercises can prevent so many injuries and surgery is not always the only answer.”
The doctors and physiotherapists spoke on some of the most common beliefs such as “I am already flexible, so no need to stretch”, “training with weights will aggravate my injuries” and “taping will protect me from injuries”.
Mary Kom urged the participants to realise how exercise is the best medicine and physio’s advice is the best solution.