Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, known as MC Mary Kom or simply Mary Kom will celebrate her 35th birthday on March 1, 2018. She is fondly called as ‘Magnificent Mary’ by her fans. The celebrated Indian boxer was born in Kangthei village, in Churachandpur district of Manipur, and was brought up in humble surroundings. Not many people know that her father was a keen wrestler in his younger days too.
She was drawn to boxing in her childhood and left her hometown to study boxing at the age of 15. Known for her heroics and bravado, marriage and post-marriage duties couldn’t stop her from a return to her boxing career in the year 2008.
Mary Kom has earned India huge accolades by achieving glorious feats around the globe over the years. She is the only Indian woman boxer to win an Olympic medal when she won a Bronze medal at 2012 Summer Olympics in London.
Also, she is a five-time Amateur Boxing champion, winning the titles in the year 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010. She also won a Silver medal in the same category in the year 2001. The magnificent boxer is also the only woman boxer to win a medal in each one of the six world championships.
As Mary Kom celebrates her birthday on Thursday, we bring to you some special clippings of her illustrious career.
1. Watch Video of Mary Kom's Awesome Skipping Skills.
The following video of Mary Kom is surely going to give you new fitness goals. The 4-minute video sees the boxer show her superb skipping skills.
2. Watch this rare video of Mary Kom winning Gold Medal in Asian Indoor Games in 2009.
With a short introduction in the start, this rare clip shows how Mary Kom fought her way back in the match. She was trailing her opponent initially in the match; the way she fights her way back in the match is remarkable.
3. Watch Mary Kom on her journey in London Olympics in 2012.
Mary Kom was the only Indian woman boxer to qualify for the Summer Olympics in 2012 after Laishram Sarita Devi failed to qualify narrowly. Here, she reflects on her emotional journey in the London Olympics.
4. Watch Mary Kom win Gold medal in Asian Women's Boxing Championship in 2017.
Last year, Mary Kom once again proved why she is one of the best woman boxers of all time. With no sign of age catching up, Mary Kom fought her way to Gold in this final bout of the tournament.
Mary Kom has also won the prestigious Padma Bhushan in 2013, Padma Shri in 2006, and Arjuna Award in 2003. Taking a note for her contribution in the field of sports, she was nominated by the President as a member of Rajya Sabha in 2016. Also, she along with Akhil Kumar were appointed by the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports as national observers for boxing. We, at LatestLy, wish the spiritful Indian boxer a very Happy Birthday!
(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Feb 28, 2018 08:48 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).