Mary Kom: 'My hard work has paid off and now there are so many Mary Koms'

Boxing great Mary Kom, who is a six-time world champion, has said that her hard work and achievements have led to a revolution in the sport in the country. The legend, however, added that the younger generation of athletes lack hunger and get satisfied after just one achievement. “I am super fit, I want to achieve more and more, that hunger I have. This young generation, they (become) one (time) champion and finished, they are satisfied, (they) settle down. This is the difference. If, like me, they have that spirit and that hunger, we will have so many medals in our country,” Mary Kom was quoted as saying by news agency PTI. Mary Kom’s comments came amid India creating history at the Asian Games 2023 as the country won a record 107 medals in Hangzhou. The ace boxer from Manipur, who is 41 now, also added that she wants to continue fighting in the ring. “I will fight (on), that fighting spirit only Mary Kom has… I have that something unique from other sports stars. I am 41 years (old), I cannot fight any international (amateur) competition from this year because there is that age limit. But I want to continue for one, two or three years,” she said. Reflecting on a long list of upcoming young boxers, Mary Kom said: “My hard work has paid off and now there are so many Mary Koms coming up. I feel so proud to be a girl, a mother, an Indian… so many are following my footsteps." “Training is tough. Inner hunger and drive are most important. Now, facilities are better. In 2001 when I started my career, no one knew women in boxing."