“Mere jaisa koi kabhi paida nahi hoga (There won’t be another like me),” quipped MC Mary Kom to a guffawing audience minutes after becoming the first woman in history to win six World Championship gold medals.
No one, present there or not, could assume arrogance on part of the diminutive genius hailing from Manipur. Her effervescent charm, and straight-faced wit, would be a constant feature of her interaction with the media at the news conference in New Delhi.
“Sab ko mere jaisa banana chahta hai toh nahi ho sakta na (You can’t expect every boxer in the country to become like me),” Mary continued.
“(The younger boxers) They will learn too, and get there. With experience, they too will win lots of medals for the country.”
The 35-year-old was posed more than a handful of questions on the future stars of India boxing. Although Mary’s was the only gold, India had three more medallists at the 2018 WBC – Lovlina Borgohain and Simranjeet Kaur bagged bronze medals, while 21-year-old Sonia Chahal secured a silver on World Championship debut.
Winning a medal is very tough for all of us. They (younger boxers) are trying their best, and striving hard to make the country proud. They have lesser experience and exposure, success will come slowly.MC Mary Kom
Indian boxing could do well to keep arguably the country’s most decorated female athlete around its rising stars, but Mary had pearls of wisdom for any of her successors willing to listen.
Training, and focus, and should be very smart. It’s not all about power. My initial years, I used to fight with a lot of power, a lot of energy. But if you compare my fights then and now, there’s a huge difference. Today, I don’t feel all that tired. Back then, I would be deflated by the closing stages of a bout.MC Mary Kom
You’d think she’s fast approaching the end of her storied career – but the mother of three knows she still packs a mean punch.
I have said before that till the day I train regularly, no one will find it easy to defeat me. Yes, you lose at times - winning and losing is part of sport - but I know that there is no opponent to whom I would go down without a fight.MC Mary Kom
World record under her belt, Mary has already cast a solid eye in the direction of the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. India’s only Olympic medal-winning female boxer knows the road to qualification, beginning in 2019, won’t be easy.
With the Olympics not recognising Mary’s original 48 kg category, the last eight years have been a constant exercise in gaining and losing weight.
Next year has (already) come, and it is going to be extremely difficult again. I’m going to give it my all from my side. I have to change my weight category (again), I need to work with my (support) staff, my coaches, my nutritionists, all of us have to work together. It’s only inside the ring that I’m alone, but outside of it, their suggestion and guidance is very important for me.MC Mary Kom
When asked whether someone else is in the fray to take a 51 kg berth for Tokyo for India, the seasoned legend cut a leader-like figure – while not refraining from being blunt about the situation, in her inimitable style.
“I want younger girls do come up, challenge me. If they can deliver greater success to the country, I will be the happiest person,” says Mary.
“I'm only playing because they are unable to beat me till now!”
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