Mary Kom Is A Role Model To Girls Who Dare To Do It Differently And These Reasons Prove It

I’m sure you have come across many inspirational tales of feminists, but I can also bet you haven’t heard anything like the life story of Mary Kom, of five-time World Amateur Boxing champion and Olympics bronze medalist- Chungneijang Mery Kom Hmangte. The talented daughter of the nation who has not only inspired little girls to pursue boxing but a motion picture starring Priyanka Chopra.

In fact, my respect for her doubles the moment I comprehend the hardships she overcame to achieve what she has achieved today. Hailing from the Kom-Kuki tribe in Manipur, Mary, had to fight society and its indifference for a woman who chose to do it differently.

Mary was born to parents who were poor agricultural labourers and had to fight financial hurdles to claim the glory she rightly deserves. 

But the fact is, the economic instability has only gone ahead and strengthened her for the race of life.

“I am tough because of my background. They made me who I am today. They gave me the strength to keep fighting. Indeed, they made me want to fight in the first place.”

 

Apart from being an exemplary daughter, Mary is also a doting mother who showed the world that boxing is not just for men. In fact, after giving birth to a baby boy she went on to became the first Indian boxer to win gold at the Asian Games in 2014.

“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.”

Doesn’t that sound like something only a woman would do?

 

Also known and called as the ‘magnificent Mary’, she is also a woman who is raising her sons to be gentlemen. In her open letter to her sons, Mary proved that she is not only a champion in the ring but a champion of social cause- women safety. 

You can read her letter here.

 

Mary has even gone out of her way in encouraging budding boxers. In 2007, she set up the MC Mary Kom Boxing Academy in Imphal that trains young talent. 

In fact, she has also taken students under her wings and inside her home and is looking after their stay and food.

 

But, behind this strong and successful woman, there is a man, who shares her pain as much as he shares her joy. Mary’s husband, K Onler Kom is her biggest fan who also plays her mentor/manager. 

“If there’s any problem in the family, my husband never tells me about it. He says, don’t think about the children, don’t think about us. You just concentrate on your training.”

While we need more men like him, we definitely need more women like her. You’re an inspiration Mary Kom and we salute your will.

News Source: tos., Sportskeeda, Inspire 99

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