Staff Reporter
DIMAPUR, OCTOBER 23
OLYMPIC Medalist and Padma Bhushan, Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom is here in Nagaland to attend the Niathu Sports Festival as a special guest.
The bronze medalist of London Olympic 2012 and Northeast pride, pugilist Kom is here on the invitation of the chief minister Neiphiu Rio. She will address sportspersons during the inaugural function of the three-day Niathu Sports Festival which begins tomorrow under the theme ‘Unity through Sports’. Kom, along with her entourage, reached Dimapur this evening after almost seven hours road journey from Imphal. She is slated to depart back home on Thursday afternoon after paying a visit at The Maple Tree, Dimapur to interact with school children.
Addressing a press conference at Ruby Café, Niathu Resort this evening, 30 year old MC Mary Kom, who is on her first visit to Nagaland, had lots to be thankful for. “This is my first visit to Nagaland, and I am very happy to be here in this beautiful State,” said Kom who is also accompanied by her husband K. Onkholer Kom.
Replying to queries, the ever smiling Kom who speaks halting English, shared about her challenges inside the ring and also about the responsibility she carries as an icon of the youth across the country.
Of course, our country India and the entire Northeast is proud of her achievements for taking the Tri-Colour higher and higher. In spite of the many achievements in her career as a pugilist, Kom, though mother of three now, is still hungry to get inside the ring and win more medals, and has no immediate plans for retirement.
“The plan for retirement hasn’t struck me yet. And I’ll try my best to qualify for the next Olympic, said Kom adding that her training just resumed yesterday.
She considers Boxing as a very beautiful as well as difficult game. Her encouragement to wannabe boxers is to never give up when things are not going their way. She insisted that hard work always has a reward at the end.
Sharing about her almost-a-decade career, she said regular practice and determination to succeed kept her going. Kom, who has been on tour almost all the time, is also a family woman. She so much owes the support rendered by her family, especially her husband. It was learnt that her husband gave up his job to give the much needed support behind the scene, mostly staying at home with their children when Kom was away playing.
Replying to a question on her political ambitions, Kom candidly said that she has no such and never intends to even in the near future. “I only think about boxing,” she added.
So for her fans, it is good news that Mary will be back in the ring very soon, and not far from now. Already with a bronze medal in her kitty, we only hope that she brings us a gold in the next Olympics.
Apart from the bronze medal at the Olympics, Mary Kom has also won 17 gold medals, two silver and two bronze at international events, While, in national events, she has won 12 gold medals. She was also a recipient of Arjuna, Padma Shri and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna among others.
