Mary raring to go in South Asian Games

Mary is the only woman boxer to win a medal in each of the six World Championships. She was the only Indian woman boxer to qualify for the 2012 Olympics and became the first Indian woman boxer to win a gold medal in the 2014 Asian Games. Speaking to dtNEXT, the ace boxer said she is confident of a stupendous show at the Games. 

“I had dedicated practice sessions in Pune and Delhi prior to the trials. It feels good to be back in the ring and I am raring to go,” she said. The Manipur boxer, who has not played in a big tournament since 2014, said the gap does not take away her match-fitness. 

“Recovering after a tough game of boxing is not easy. The game is all about consistency and playing at this level increases my confidence ahead of the Olympic qualifiers next month,” Mary added.  

The 32-year-boxer expressed happiness to be back in Shillong for the second time. “Shillong is like a home away from home. The people here are similar to the ones back in Manipur and it’s good to be here again,” she said. 

Mary plans to go with the flow and does not want to think too much about the Olympics. “It (Olympics) is very far. It all depends on how I perform here and my recovery path. Regular training is vital and I will put my plans into place soon,” she added.

Boxing squad WOMEN: 

M.C. Mary Kom (51kg), L. Sarita Devi (60kg), Pooja Rani Bohra (75kg). 

RESERVES: Sarjubala (51kg), Sonia Lather (60kg), Aruna Mishra (75kg). 

MEN: L. Devendro Singh (49kg), Madan Lal (51kg), Shiva Thapa (56kg), 

Dheeraj (60kg), Manoj Kumar (64kg), Mandeep Jangra (69kg), Vikas Krishan (75kg);  

RESERVES: Shymakumar Kakara (49kg), Kavinder Bisht (51kg), V Durga Rao (56kg), 

Manish (60kg), Thomas M (64kg), Rakesh (69kg), Sukhdeep Singh Bhatti (75kg).