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…

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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