Mary makes it five in a row at the Worlds

Reaching the top is never easy, but staying there is even harder. Staying there five times in a row, though, ranks very close to impossible. However, Indian woman boxer MC Mary Kom knows how to handle the tough part.

Reaching the top is never easy, but staying there is even harder. Staying there five times in a row, though, ranks very close to impossible. However, Indian woman boxer MC Mary Kom knows how to handle the tough part. She proved it again on Saturday when she, for the fifth successive time, won the boxing World Championship in Bridgetown, Barbados. And she is still aiming for more. “I want to perform well at the Asian Games in China in November but the long term goal has always been standing on the podium at the London Olympics,” said Mary.

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It was for the first time that Mary won the gold at the World Championship in the 48 kg category. She defeated Duta Steluta of Romania on points 16:6. The Indian pugilist won all her previous titles in the 46 kg category. This year the 46 kg category was dropped by AIBA.

Talking about what was going on in her mind before the final Mary added, “I was confident but at the same time a little nervous. I had won bouts against Steluta and knew her game, but then there is always a little bit of nervousness before a big match and that helps to focus better,” added the Khel Ratna awardee.

How difficult has it been to win the title consistently and cope with the challenges of age and motherhood? “It is physically demanding as far as age goes as I am not going to get younger. It is tougher to stay away from children but somehow I have managed to do it and hope this continues at least till the Olympics."

Back home, it was a delighted Onler Kom who said that he always knew that his wife was going to do well at the World Championship.