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MC Mary Kom: Return of the native
A historic fifth successive World Championship gold medal under her belt, Indian woman boxer MC Mary Kom returned home from Barbados on Tuesday morning.
The Manipur pugilist has admitted she remains hungry for more and will not consider hanging up her gloves before finishing on podium at the 2012 London Olympics.
The 27-year-old mother-of-two brushed aside the rising international competition in women's boxing to clinch a fifth gold medal at the World Championships last night by thrashing old foe Steluta Duta of Romania 16-6 in the light fly weight 48kg finals.
Dubbed 'Magnificent Mary' by the International Boxing Association for her historic feat, the diminutive counter-puncher is the only woman boxer to have clinched a medal in each of the six World Championships, starting with a silver in the inaugural edition in 2001.
Success and fame go hand-in-hand
Manipur government had on Monday announced a cash prize of Rs 10 lakh for Mary Kom.
Manipur Chief Minister O Ibobi Singh announced purse "in recognition of her (Mary Kom's) historic achievement," an official release said.
"A daughter of Manipur and sportsperson par excellence, Mary Kom has emerged as an epitome of inspiration and motivation of our youth today. Whole Manipur celebrates her achievement with indescribable joy," the release said.
Mary Kom is working as deputy superintendent of police in Manipur police department.
'We are proud of you Mary Kom'
The All Manipur Football Association (AMFA) and Ethno Heritage Council (EHC), a social organisation, said in separate statements that though Manipur was lacking in developmental fields, the state was going ahead in the field of sports.
They said several sports persons from the state had done very well in their respective fields at the international level and wished Mary Kom success in future also.
'We are proud of you Mary Kom,' the AMFA said adding that "We always pray to God for your success.
Mary Kom who has settled in Imphal hails from Churachandpur district of Manipur.
The Sports Minister, MS Gill, had earlier congratulated the pugilist on her achievement.