I Believe

It hasn’t been easy being ‘Mary Kom’. Though I still remember all the difficulties and struggles that I have been through, today, I am grateful for the tough life that I had to lead… And yes, at the end of the day, the only thing that helps you stand out is your talent and what you do in the boxing ring…

MANIPUR’S LI’L MAIDEN

I was born in Kangathei village in Churachandpur district of rural Manipur and grew up here along with my younger siblings. I was born in a poor family and my parents, Mangte Tonpa Kom and Mangte Akham Kom, were tenant farmers who worked in jhum (shifting cultivation) fields. We lived a very humble life. I think life was even more difficult when you lived in a place like Manipur or maybe the North-Eastern part of India.

Being the eldest in the family, I also had the responsibility of looking after my siblings. We were anything but financially sound. In fact, I didn’t receive much support from my family to take up boxing as a profession. So you can say it is a combination of all these things which motivated me to do well and prove everyone wrong later in life…

SPORTY SCHOOL DAYS

Growing up, I changed schools many times. I started at Loktak Christian Model High School in Moirang where I studied till Std VI, after which I moved to St Xavier’s Catholic School. It was here that I discovered a passion for athletics, especially the javelin throw and the 400 meters track.

Around this time, Dingko Singh, a fellow Manipuri, returned from the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games with a gold medal for boxing. He inspired many youngsters in Manipur to try the sport as well, including me.

After completing Std VIII, I moved to Adimjati High School, Imphal, for my final years. I failed the matriculation exam and not wanting to reappear for it, I quit school and gave the exam through NIOS, Imphal. I then went on to pursue my graduation from Churachandpur College.

BOXING - MY FIRST LOVE