Few sports persons have caught on the imagination of Bollywood or Hollywood that the saga of their lives have been immortalised on the screen. Her punch, unflagging passion, and fire in her belly have made her a legend in her own time, and an inspiration for millions of youth in India and abroad. Â
Mother of three, and a five-time world champion, she skilfully balances her time between her profession and family. She runs a women-only fight club in Imphal (Manipur) to teach girls to defend themselves.
Early Life
Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom was born on March 1, 1983 in Kangathei, Manipur. Between attending school and playing hockey, football, Mary worked in the fields and helped her parents, both farm hands. Â
Inspired by a boxer of her state, Mary moved to Imphal, to train in athletics.
Career
She started her boxing career in 2000 under M. Narjit Singh, Manipur State Boxing Coach, at Khuman Lampak.
In 2001, she won a silver medal at the AIBA World Championships in Scranton. In 2002, her domination at the event began with her first gold in Antalya which was followed up by winning gold at the 2005, 2006, 2008 and 2010 edition.
 In the 2010 Asian Games, she competed in the 51 kg class – the lowest in the contest – and won a bronze medal.
At the 2012 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship, Kom was competing not just for the championship itself but also for a place at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. She was defeated but was able to qualify for the Olympics.
At the 2012 Olympics she bowed out with a podium finish carrying the Indian tricolour during the closing ceremony.
Awards
Padma Bhushan (Sports), 2013
Arjuna Award (Boxing), 2003
Padma Shree (Sports), 2010
‘Magnificent Mary’, AIBA 2008
Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award, 2009