Mary Kom
If it was weightlifting in 2000, it was women’s boxing in the 2012 edition of the Olympics in London and the athlete was Mary Kom, who bagged a bronze in the 51 kg category.
Mary Kom used to box in the 48 kg category earlier but with the Olympics beginning with the 51 kg category for the ladies, she worked on gaining a couple of kilos and building strength to compete with her counterparts.
For those who might not know, a kilo or two makes a huge difference in a sport like boxing.
The 5-time world champion was out to cement her name in the Olympics history books as well. Being the lone Indian to be competing in Women’s boxing, the pressure was on her, and though the Manipuri couldn’t bag the gold, she did win a Bronze in her maiden appearance, going down to the eventual winner, Nicola Adams from the Great Britain.
Mary Kom took to boxing at an early age and having won three World Championships despite being from India where boxing wasn’t given enough prominence, it was was a gigantic effort from the flyweight lady.
She then gave boxing a break to go ahead with her marriage and with kids in her laps soon, she couldn’t have thought of getting back if it was not for her partner who inspired her to wear those deadly gloves again.
As destiny had it, she made an incredible comeback following some rigorous fitness regimes and returned with a World Championship in 2008 and 2010 and followed it up with an Olympic bronze.
The iron lady has been an inspiration to the women of the nation who take to household tasks and chores post marriage and give away their dreams. She allowed ladies to dream again and work towards achieving them.
