Mary Kom needs no introduction. She is a five-time world boxing champion to win a medal in each one of the six world championships. She is the only Indian boxer to have qualified for the 2012 Olympics and win a bronze medal for the country. She has also been ranked as No.4 AIBA World Women’s Ranking Flyweight category.
Hers is a story that makes one believe that adversities are no reason to put your dreams to rest. In fact if anything in life can help you achieve what you yearn for you need to just work past those hurdles life throws at you and reach out for your goals. Carving a niche for herself in the world of sport wasn’t a cake walk for this petit sportswomen but what ultimately gave in to her favour was her sheer determination and dedication with which she made it big in the world of boxing. As a part of our Women's Health Month Special in an exclusive interview she talks to us about the position of women in India, her passion for the sport and life after the Olympic win.
Boxing was always considered as a sport for men, till you came around and broke the myth. But how much has the scenario changed after that, do you see more women come forward and take up the sport proactively?
I think we need to change our attitude towards the sport itself. Not just women, as a nation we lack in promoting sportspeople of both the genders. I don’t mean to say that our authorities are not trying their best, but it’s a difficult task given the needs of a developing country like ours and the sheer geographical size of India. We aren’t doing enough to promote sportspeople in general as compared to other countries. There has been a sea change in this scenario in the recent past but we still have a long way to go. It is good to see that a lot of investments both in terms of money and time are coming in for other sports too apart from the game of cricket.
How is 'boxing for women' perceived by men? Do you think the stronger sex approves women to take up stuff that has always been predominately men's activity?
Let me put it this way, I was the only woman who had secured a place in the boxing team during the 2012 Olympics. By the grace of God and sheer hard work I also won the Bronze medal in the 51 kg flyweight event. I strongly believe that my achievements will leave a mark on the society and help people to realize that it’s time they change their perspective and come out of the myth that certain sports are not meant to be taken up by women.
As women we can compete and win in any field of sports.
What inspired you to take up boxing?
I got interested in boxing and took up the sport when I was 15 years old. I was inspired by Dingko Singh, an Indian boxer who won the gold medal in the 1998 Asian games. Later I got inspired by the great Muhammad Ali, I wanted to try harder and aim higher like him. Today I am inspired by my own achievements and the goals I have set for myself. My desire is to get more medals for India. My passion for the sport is the fuel that keeps me goal driven at all time.
Women are considered the weaker sex - what’s your opinion about this gender bias.
Our country has produced some great women leaders in politics; women have left their mark in every field by sheer determination and dedication - be it sports, science, journalism, entrepreneurship etc. I would say it’s a wrong perception that the society has about women. Women aren’t weaker than men. One should not underestimate the power of women, they can do wonders too.
How did you have to train yourself to get fitter for the sport during the competitions?
To get fitter for the sport and to fare well inside the ring I had to put in 8 hours of training every day, once in the morning and once in the evening. I also took great care of my diet, as it plays a major part of the professional training session. I had to follow a diet pattern that had food from every group with the right balance of proteins, vitamins, carbohydrates and other required minerals. I never skipped meals or cheated over; in fact I always had my daily meals on time without fail. I think it’s important to impart discipline in life to maintain a routine like that. Else all can fall apart. I always try to give my 100 percent to any task that I undertake.
What is your daily fitness routine like?
My daily training session starts with a 14 km run followed by some stretching, skipping and floor exercises. Then I move on to shadow boxing, practicing with the punching bag and speed bag. Often I spar with opponents or with my coaches during the practice sessions. In the afternoon I would spend some time in the gym concentrating on strength training doing a lot of pushups and sit ups and then again do a recap of all that I did during the morning. I wind up the day with a small run to cool down along with light stretching.
How has life changed after the Olympics win?
Let me tell you nothing came my way easily. The early days of my childhood were an extreme struggle with poverty. I had to help my parents in the fields, take care of my siblings, take care of the house and attend school. I would still say that responsibilities were few at that early age. Then came boxing, and yes it wasn’t easy for me to keep moving ahead as most people saw it as a male sport, including my parents. Moreover my diminutive size made it more difficult for me to convince all that boxing was what I was made for. It took a lot to get past those initial hurdles and get involved with the sport wholeheartedly.
When I was finally there it was a constant juggle - to spend adequate time for the training and keep up with my duties for the family. The training and equipment was also not something I could afford easily.
But finally surpassing all that when I did make it big it the world of boxing there was little recognition from the general public and money was poor to begin with, despite the five world medals that I had won. It took an Olympic medal to change all that. After the Olympic win life did change for the better. Today life seems a bit more comfortable and easy. I think I have finally managed to get myself heard and negotiate things my way with people in the society. But it took an Olympic medal to get there. Still I would say better late than never.
Boxing is tedious, both on the body and the mind too. How do you strike a mind-body balance?
I think if you prioritize and follow a routine dedicatedly; it’s not very difficult to achieve a mind-body balance in whatever you do or desire to do in life. Talking about boxing that’s my passion, it never takes a toll on me.
How do you keep yourself alert on the ring?
Everyone has different strategies to be alert on the ring, mine is to focus and concentrate on the opponent’s move.
How do you motivate yourself after losing a match?
The initial moments just after losing a fight are the moments of big disappointments. This is what I felt like when I couldn’t win the semi finals at the Olympic Games. Later when the results sink in it’s the time for some introspection. In such situations I talk myself out of it. I encourage myself to keep going and work harder. I go back and watch my videos to know the mistakes I have made, and then I focus to fix the techniques and tactics where I am lacking. At the same time I feel one should not be too hard on self. In the end it’s a game and winning or losing is a part of it.
How do you maintain a work life balance?
This is not just difficult but also a challenge for me, given the three boys I have to manage, my twin sons Rechungvar and Khupneivar and my husband K Onler Kom. I try my best to spend as much time as I can with them. Now that all the Olympic madness is fading it’s easier to manage things at home front. But to maintain a work life balance you need a good support system back at home to work in your favour. For me it’s been my husband Onler, who takes care of all and the home when I am away. He is the man behind it.
What are the qualities that you would like to instill in your sons?
I would like them to grow up learning to be supportive of others, hardworking, disciplined; goal oriented, be taskmasters and also grounded with all their achievements, qualities I think that a good human being should possess.
How is life out of the ring for you?
It’s the same mundane life any women lives with joy and pride. When at home, I cook, clean the house, play with my kids and watch TV with my family. My kids aren’t scared of their boxer mum. In fact they enjoy the sport too much. I think more than the love for the sport they like it because it gives them a reason to fight more. It is difficult to handle three kids at the same time. The rule in the house is that they demand but I command.
What would be your advice to the women of our country?
I wish I could go out and ask every woman to be stronger and more confident about themselves, but I can’t personally intervene and do that, this feeling of self empowerment has to come from within. I can only say that we women also can do what we ought to do, and we are no more the less favored beings.
My message to all the Indian women is that if you are passionate about something and your heart beats for it, then just pursue it. Sooner or later, everyone will be proud of you and will be supportive of you rather than just negating your dreams.
Even the sport scene in India is changing. It’s no more the same like it was 5 years back. It can promise you the best career you’ll ever have if you are devoted to it. The world is changing every day, so are our concepts and mentalities. I am positive with the future of women in India.
I would also like to give this message to all parents out there that -- children either boys or girls -- are an inheritance from God. We should respect and accept them both, because God has got his own purpose in giving them too us. We need to overcome gender discrimination, female-infanticide and promote humanity.
Also read other articles from our Women’s Day Special feature;
- Get inspired by Shilpa Shetty’s post pregnancy weight loss
- 10 tips to beat common beauty problems
- 10 qualities that make a woman sexy
- QUIZ: How much do you really know about your health?
- TheHealthSite.com’s experts tell how to get fit
- Top 20 workout songs for women
- Gallery: Top 15 health problems women are prone to
- Tips to get the most gorgeous lips
- Ayurveda for Women’s Health
- 6 things you should never do for a man, even if you love him
- Drink red wine for your good health women
- 6 things women can do better than men
- Top 10 Bollywood beauty icons
- Women’s Day: Aren’t you ashamed to be Indian?
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