08 March,2010 11:10 AM IST | | Hemal Ashar
With the London Olympics 2012 her final goal, boxer Mary Kom has inspired a generation of young women to take to the gloves in a bid for gold and glory
Manipur boxer Dingko Singh was her inspiration but today she is the pin-up girl for thousands of young women dreaming of boxing glory. The boxer with the tongue-twisting name of Mangte Chungneijang Merykom has her opponents in knots with her speed, agility and accuracy. Mary Kom, as she is more popularly known is a world champion in her weight category but will now face the ultimate test of fire, the Olympics in London 2012 where she would fight in the flyweight (48 to 51 kg) category. The women's boxing event is making its debut in the English city, "which I am very happy about, thrilled in fact, like all the other women boxers," says Mary over phone from her training camp in Bhopal.
Mary whose immediate goals are the Asian Championships, weighs 46 kg, "So we would be trying gradually to get her weight up to 48 kg for the Olympics," says Viren Rasquinha, chief of Olympic Gold Quest. Mary is part of Gold Quest which is an intiative to identify, nurture and support sporting talent with an eye on Olympic medals. Rasquinha says, "We have to up her weight in such a way that it does not affect her speed or agility. While Mary is hugely talented, the Olympics are a different ball game altogether. We have to build up towards the ultimate goal -- a medal in London."
Mary says she has been fighting against heavier and taller opponents in preparation for her forthcoming fights. The Imphal (Manipur) based fighter is looking forward to going home soon to be with her 2.5-year-old twin sons, "after which, I go back to my training camp in Bhopal," she says.
Mary may have a generation of fans, many of who turned to the ring after her glorious pursuit, but, she in turn, idolises, "Laila Ali, Muhammad Ali's daughter. I watch her boxing videos," says the world champion who adds that her devastating left hook is the strongest weapon in her armoury.
The hook seems fitting really, for the mother of two who broke the mould, and consequently became a role model for a slew of young Indian women who are now hooked on to the sweet science.
