MC Mary Kom

MC Mary Kom (Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom) was born on 1st March 1983 and was brought up in a poor family. It is impossible to imagine that Mary Kom would one day rise and become a World Boxing Champion.

Her family background speaks a lot of how Mary overcame hardship and inconveniences and created a name for herself in the arena of world boxing. Her parents Mr. Mangte Tonpa Kom and Mrs Mangte Akham Kom earned their livelihood by working and being engaged in others jhum fields. Being the eldest, Mary helped her parents work in the fields, cutting woods, making charcoal and fishing. On the other hand, she spent a good time looking after her two younger sisters and a brother.

Mary Kom was interested in sports since her childhood. She took a keen interest in Athletics when she was in class VI in Loktak Christian Mission School, Moirang and class VII- VIII in St.Xavier School, Moirang. Mary thought that she would become a good athlete one day and carve a name for herself in the discipline.

But fate decided otherwise. After completing her class VIII, Mary came to Imphal and continued her studies at Adimjati School. Being so fond of sports, she enquired around and found out about women boxing.

It was a new idea since women boxers were relatively unknown those days. The rise of Dingko Singh and the demonstration of women boxers at the 5th National Games (Manipur) inspired her.

Mary Kom decided to hang up her books and enter into the ring with determination and strong will. To pursue her dream of becoming a world class pugilist, she joined Sports Authority of India, Khuman Lampak and underwent an intensive training from coach and mentor, Shri. Ibomcha Singh.

Seeing Mary’s potential and determination, Manipur State coaches Shri. Narjit Singh and Shri. Kishan Singh decided to take her under their wings. Mary was taught finer details and absorbed it all. The encouragement and support by Shri. Khoibi Salam, Secretary of MABA and Vice President of IABA, and Manipur Boxing Association was also a turning point for Mary Kom.

Manipur Government gave her the post of Sub-inspector of police in 2005. She was promoted to inspector of police in 2008 and again promoted to the post of Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in 2010. She was also given a house at National Games Village without any cost for her outstanding achievements.

Sports are not everything for Mary. In her spare time, she takes pain to attend functions and mingle with the people. The ever-smiling and ready-to-help Mary Kom always encourages young people to chase their dreams and have faith in God.

Mary married K.Onler Kom of Samulamlan Block whom she met in Delhi. Onler proved to be a guide, a friend and a philosopher for Mary and they decided to vow each other for lifetime at Manipur Baptist Convention Church on 12th March 2005.

Mary’s humble beginning from Kangathei and her fame through continents of the world is a mere fairy tale. However, it was Mary’s grit determination and Never-Say-Die attitude with which she was able to earn laurels far away from her village. Mary Kom’s belief in God and herself was what made all the difference.

Today, the farmer’s daughter stands as a shining example of “Mission (almost) Accomplished”. Her most awaited Gold-medal will be at the London 2012 Olympics.

International Achievements

Sl. No.	Name of Tournaments / Championships	Country/State	Results	Dates
1	5th Asian Women’s Boxing Championship	Kazakhstan	Gold Medal	23-31st May 2010
2	Indoor Asian Games Hanoi	Vietnam	Gold Medal	30 Oct -7 Nov. 2009
3	Indo-Sweden Dual Match Boxing Tournament	Gothenberg Sweden	Gold Medal	21st March 2009
4	5th World Women Boxing Championship	Ningbo China	Gold Medal	22-29th Nov. 2008
5	4th Asian Women Boxing Championship	Guwahati India	Silver Medal	23-27th Sep. 2008
6	4th World Women Boxing Championship	New Delhi, India	Gold Medal	17–24th Nov 2006
7	Vijle Women BOX Tournament	Denmark	Gold Medal	18–23rd Oct. 2006
8	Asian Cadet Boxing Championship	Hanoi Vietnam	Gold Medal	10–18th June 2006
9	3rd World Women Boxing Championship	Podolsk Russia	Gold Medal	26th Sep-2nd Oct. 2005
10	3rd Asian Women Boxing Championship	Taiwan	Gold Medal	05–12th Aug 2005
11	1st World Women Boxing Tournament	Tonsberg Norway	Gold Medal	27th April–2nd May 2004
12	2nd Asian Women Boxing Championship	Hissar India	Gold Medal	19–22nd Nov 2003
13	Training – Cum – Competition	Rome Italy	3 Gold Medal	02–13th Sep. 2003
14	2nd World Women Boxing Championship	Antalya Turkey	Gold Medal	19–28th Oct 2002
15	Witch Cup Boxing Championship	Paes Hungary	Gold Medal	27 – 31st Aug 2002
16	1st World Women Boxing Championship	Pennsylvania U.S.A.	Silver Medal	27th Nov -2nd Dec 2001

National Achievements

Sl. No.	Name of Tournaments / Championships	Results	Dates
1	57th India Police Meet, Pune	Gold Medal	6-10th April 2010
2	9th Senior Women National Championship, Agra	Gold Medal	02-07 Nov. 2008
3	6th National Senior Women Boxing Championship, Jamshedpur	Gold Medal	29 Nov-3 Dec 2005
4	5th Senior Women National Boxing Championship, Kerela	Gold Medal	26 – 30 Dec 2004
5	4th Senior Women National Boxing Championship, Assam	Gold Medal	24 – 28 Feb. 2004
6	3rd Senior Women National Boxing Championship, Aizawl	Gold Medal	04 – 08 Mar 2003
7	National Women Sports Meet , New Delhi	Gold Medal	26 – 30 Dec 2002
8	32nd National Games, Hyderabad	Gold Medal	13 – 22 Dec 2002
9	2nd Senior Women National Boxing Championship, New Delhi	Gold Medal	26 – 30 Dec 2001
10	1st Women National Boxing Championship, Chennai	Gold Medal	06 – 11 Feb. 2001
11	7th East Open Boxing Championship held at Bengal	Gold Medal	11 –14 Dec. 2000