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‘I don’t want my kids to become boxers’

Unlike most parents who want their children to become like them, the five-time world champion in women’s boxing, MC Mary Kom, does not want her twin sons to become boxers. Instead, she wants them to play tennis.

Updated on: Sep 21, 2010, 23:43:00 IST
None | By , New Delhi
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Unlike most parents who want their children to become like them, the five-time world champion in women’s boxing, MC Mary Kom, does not want her twin sons to become boxers. Instead, she wants them to play tennis.

HT Image
HT Image

“I don’t want my children to become boxers as I don’t want them to get hurt and feel the pain. Instead I want them to play tennis which I could not because of the lack of financial support,” said Mary, who was in the Capital on Tuesday after winning the World Championship of boxing in Barbados.

Mary defeated Steulta Duta of Romania in the 48kg category to win the title.

About her next target, the 27-year-old Arjuna Awardee said she was focussed on winning a medal at the Asian Games in November but what she wants even more is to win an Olympic medal.

“For now I want to do well at the Asian Games but the bigger target is the London Olympics,” said Mary.

The World champion however, wants to become a boxing coach after she hangs her gloves.

“I have around 30 young boys and girls training at the academy and I want to coach them after I retire,” added Mary.

The Indian Boxing Federation along with Mary’s sponsors presented the boxer with a pay cheque of Rs 1 lakh and 2 lakh respectively for her achievement.

Although Mary won gold, the overall performance of the Indian contingent was disappointing with just a bronze to add to the tally.

Talking about the team’s performance Secretary General of IBF, PK Muralidharan Raja said, “The grey area in our boxing is coaching and that is why we are looking for foreign coaches for the women’s team, so that they can do well at the Olympics.” Raja has also requested some foreign coaches to visit India after the Asian Games.

Raja also informed that the women’s boxing team, which could not perform as per the expectation, will be taking part in another selection trial for the Asian Games on Wednesday.

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