Mary Kom prepares for London Olympics

Imphal, Mar 23 (ANI): The entire nation is pinning its hopes boxing champion M C Mary kom from Manipur to win gold in the upcoming London Olympics, as the five times world boxing champion is currently training in Maharashtra with her coach.

"Since I am a five-times world champion, everyone is expecting me to win the gold. I too want a gold medal. So, I am doing my best. Right now, I will just continue to keep my focus on my training," said Mary Kom.

Mary Kom is a role model for sportspersons, and especially youth from the northeastern region. She began boxing at a very early age and has many national and international awards to her name.

Her road to success was not a smooth one. Her economic background, reservations of her parents about boxing and militancy in Manipur were hurdles in achieving her goals. But her strong determination kept her going.

"When I started boxing, people laughed at me and said, ''what can women do in boxing? They laughed and spoke behind my back. So, that was my challenge. If men can do it why cannot women? That was my challenge and before my marriage I became a world champion," she said.

Kom won the world championship twice after becoming a mother. And has been able to balance her professional and personal life well.

The mother of two kids has been felicitated several times for her contribution to boxing. She won her world amateur titles in 46 and 48kg but in London Olympics she will fight in the 51 kg weight category. Currently she is participating in the Asian Confederation Women's Boxing Championships in Mongolia.

"From my side I am doing my best because I love my country and they all are supporting me lot so why I can't I do that," added Mary Kom.

Kom is a fan of Muhammad Ali and aims to bring home the coveted Olympic gold. She has started a boxing school in Manipur in an effort to promote boxing in the state, (ANI)