Mary Kom, better known as "Magnificent Mary," is a motivational icon of grit, perseverance, and excellence within the boxing ring. Born on March 1, 1983, at Kangathei, Manipur, India, she rose from humble backgrounds to become the world's most famous female boxers.
Early Life and Education
Hailing from a modest background, Mary Kom's father, Mangte Tonpa Kom, and her mother, Mangte Akham Kom, were tenant farmers. Though poor, they placed education above everything and sent Mary to Loktak Christian Model High School and then to Adimjati High School in Imphal. With her love for sports, though, she quite often lost concentration on studies. Following the footsteps of Manipuri boxer Dingko Singh, whom she was impressed by, Mary shifted to the sport of boxing, an association that would earn her an extraordinary legacy.
Boxing Career Start
Mary's career in boxing started in 2000 under the guidance of M. Narjit Singh. Her commitment and natural ability were soon apparent as she won the gold medal in the Manipur state women's boxing championship and West Bengal regional championship. Her skills took her to the national level, where she won her first national title in the Senior Women's National Boxing Championship.
International Recognition
Mary Kom's first international appearance at the 2001 Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships in the USA earned her a silver medal in the 48 kg division. This was the start of a string of awards:
•World Championships: Mary collected gold medals in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, and 2018 and became the only female pugilist to have bagged the World Amateur Boxing Championship title six times.
•Asian Games: She won bronze in 2010 and gold in 2014, demonstrating she is the best in the continent.
•Commonwealth Games: Mary earned her first Commonwealth Games gold medal for the 48 kg weight division in 2018.
Olympic Journey
The inclusion of women's boxing in the 2012 London Olympics provided Mary Kom with an opportunity to showcase her ability on the world's finest sporting platform. In the 51 kg class, she won a bronze medal, the first Indian female boxer to do so. Although she worked tirelessly, the elusive Olympic gold continued to elude her in future games.
Super Fight League and Other Ventures
Outside amateur boxing, Mary competed in professional arenas. She competed in the Super Fight League, an Indian mixed martial arts league, further expanding her range of combat sports. She has also been featured in her autobiography, "Unbreakable," and the Bollywood biopic "Mary Kom," played by Priyanka Chopra, making her rags-to-riches story known across a wider populace.
Awards and Honors
Mary Kom's contributions have been awarded by numerous national and international awards:
•Padma Vibhushan: India's second-highest civilian award, which she received in 2020.
•Padma Bhushan: Received in 2013 for sports services.
•Padma Shri: Received in 2006 for her early contribution in boxing.
•Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award: India's top sporting honour, which she received in 2009.
•Arjuna Award: In 2003, she received it for her remarkable performance in boxing.
She was also presented with the AIBA Legends Award by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) in 2016 for her life's work. She was also appointed AIBA's women's boxing brand ambassador in 2009, an indication of her contribution towards marketing the sport worldwide.
Political and Social Activism
Mary Kom's leadership abilities extended beyond athletics. She was chosen as a Member of Parliament in the Rajya Sabha, India's upper house, in 2016, where she advocated for youth and sports development.Her dedication to social causes is reflected through her efforts towards women empowerment and health awareness.
Personal Life
She is married to K. Onler Kom and has three sons. Merging mother, sportswoman, and celebrity roles, she's an example of commitment within and outside the ring.
Legacy and Influence
Mary Kom's journey from Manipur fields to world boxing rings is a tale of perseverance and grit. Not only has she taken Indian boxing to greater heights on the international arena, but she has also motivated generations of young sportspersons, particularly women, to chase their dreams no matter what. Her legacy is an inspiration that shows that with perseverance and hard work, fences can be broken and new roads cut.
For her efforts, Manipur government recognized her by the title "Meethoileima" in 2018, which is "great or exceptional lady," a fitting tribute to her person. As the legend of Mary Kom inspires future generations, the tale of the lady remains an inspiration to the unbreakable human spirit.
