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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 |
