Chungneijang Mary Kom Mangte

Awards & Achievements

• Five times winner of Women's World Amateur Boxing Championships: 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010
• Four times winner of Asian Women’s Championships: 2003, 2005, 2010, and 2012
• Arjuna Award by the Government of India in 2003
• Padma Shree by the Government of India in 2006
• People of the Year by Limca Book of Records in 2007
• Real Heroes Award by CNN-IBN & Reliance Industries' in 2008
• Entitled as "Magnificent Mary" by the International Boxing Association ‘AIBA’ in 2008
• Pepsi MTV Youth Icon of the Year by MTV India in 2008
• Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award by the Government of India in 2009
• Became International Boxing Association's Ambassador for Women's Boxing in 2009
• Sportswoman of the Year Award by Sahara India in 2010
• Gold medal in 48 kg category at Asian Cup Women’s Boxing Tournament in 2011
• Bronze Medal in 51 kg category at the Summer Olympics, held in London in 2012
• Padma Bhushan Award by the Government of India in 2013
• Gold medal in Flyweight 51 kg category  at the Asian Games in 2014
• Won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games of 2018 in 48 kg category
• Bagged her sixth world title at the AIBA Women's World Championship 2018 and became the first female boxer to claim six world titles 

People used to say that boxing is for men and not for women and I thought I will show them some day. I promised myself and I proved myself.

An ordinary girl from the Kom tribe of Manipur, India who fearlessly pursued her dreams without bothering about the bars and proved the world that nothing is bigger than the desire to win, by being the first Indian female boxer to earn an Olympic medal for her nation. This six times World Amateur Boxing Champion had numerous face-offs while chasing her dreams, but the best part was that she never quit fighting against the odds which also included her family who never wanted her to become a boxer. Mary’s successful career proved that "champions are not born, they are made".

Chungneijang Mery Kom Hmangte was born on 1^st March 1983 as the eldest daughter of a tenant farmer who worked in ‘Jhum’ fields to meet both ends. She spent her childhood helping parents with farm and household chores along with her studies. Mary inherited sportsmanship from her father who used to practice wrestling in his youth. She urged to become a boxer after watching her fellow statesman Dingko Singh who bagged gold medal for India at the Asian Games.

The path was not easy for her as the community as well as her parents objected the decision to pursue boxing considering the sport only for boys. Mary started training in Imphal and used to travel distances to learn boxing under the tutelage of Coach K. Kosana Meitei. At the age of 15, she left her hometown for further studies in Imphal and continued her training there. In 2000, Mary won the state boxing championship, and it was then her parents knew about her training. Initially, they protested but watching her prolific performance and innate talent, they agreed. Mary dominated the boxing ring for several years, but after her marriage, she took a break from the sport being much engrossed in family and raising her two children. Soon it started airing that she might not come back to the ring but Mary knew that her chase for an Olympic medal would not end up like that.

She made a dynamic comeback, winning a silver medal at the Asian Women’s Boxing Championship in 2010 and went on to add many more feathers in her cap proving skeptics that there is a vast difference between stepping back and quitting. Resuming to her training schedules after having kids was not at all easy, but the strong craving to earn an Olympic medal for the country, again led her towards the boxing ring, but this time harder than earlier. At the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship of 2012, Mary punched hard not only to mute the critics but also to qualify for the Olympics as the women’s boxing was introduced that year.

Defeating Karolina Michalczuk in the first round by 19-14, Mary stepped ahead for the quarter-finals where she dominated Maroua Rahali of Tunisia by 15-6, reaching the finals. She not only earned India’s first Olympic medal (bronze) in female boxing but also added her name to the Indian sport's history. Mary’s determination to win and moxie attitude makes her the perfect role model for the young generation.

In a sportsperson's life, pressure is always there; you have to learn to deal with it.

Credits: YouTube