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If I maintain fitness, nobody can touch me: Mary Kom on boxing comeback
Mary Kom, who recently clinched a historic fifth gold medal at the Asian Boxing Championships, has said if she can maintain her fitness, she can beat almost anyone.
Fresh from her fifth Asian Championships gold medal, Indian boxing star M C Mary Kom on Thursday said her fit body helps her feel invincible despite close to two decades in a contact sport.
Mary Kom returned to the country after claiming the 48kg category gold medal in the continental showpiece held in the Vietnamese city of Ho Chi Minh.
“As long as I am training hard and my body is fit, I can beat anyone, bring it on. If I maintain the fitness levels, nobody can touch me,” she said laughingly at a press conference.
(Read | How Mary Kom balanced life between Parliament and the boxing ring)
The five-time world champion and Olympic bronze-medallist returned to her preferred 48kg category after more than five years in the 51kg division, which was made an Olympic category in 2010.
“It would be great if 48kg becomes an Olympic category. It really works very well for me,” said the Manipuri, who would be leaving tonight for an IOC athletes forum in Lausanne where she will represent the International Boxing Association (AIBA).
(Read | Mary Kom calls Asian Boxing Championships gold ‘story of her struggle’)
Asked about her next target, Mary Kom said it would be the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games for now.
“Let me get through that and will take a call after that,” she said.
On whether she feels any pressure competing given the spotlight she is in,” Mary Kom said, “I always enjoy myself. I don’t stress, it is pointless. This helps me in performing well.”
