The Hungry Make No Excuses

Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom

• Only boxer, male or female to win 8 world championships

• Only female to become World Amateur boxing champion for a record 6 times

• Only Indian Female Boxer to win a medal in Olympics

• Mother of 4

Mary Kom’s meteoric rise to sporting glory is a true testament to her determination. 

Hailing from a poor tribal family who were against her desire to be a boxer, fearing it would affect her prospects of finding a good groom, Mary started practicing secretly. She had no support, no money, no coaching. But she had one thing- “Hunger”. The hunger to fight and the hunger to win. The hunger to prove everyone wrong. And she did.

‘Magnificent’ Mary: the boxer who put her country on the world map. The boxer who proved to her country that a woman can be a boxer. But most importantly, the boxer who proved to women that nothing is impossible. That sometimes we create our own barriers and limit ourselves. And that these personal barriers are as critical to break as are societal mindsets.

I was telling a friend the other day that I have probably breastfed half my brains and energy away. I blamed pregnancy for my laziness and for the scatter-brain syndrome that I think I’ve developed.

And then we have Mary Kom. In 2007, she gave birth to twins. Fourteen months later, she won gold at the World championships. In 2013, she had another baby. In 2014, she won gold at the Asian Games. In 2018, she adopted a girl and won gold at both the Commonwealth games and World boxing championships. And now, a 38-year-old Mary, mother of 4, is preparing for the Tokyo Olympics.

“If I, being a mother of two, can win a medal, so can you all. Take me as an example and don`t give up”

-Mary Kom

Our mind has the power to set limitations. Our mind also has the power to break them. What we pick depends on how hungry we are to overcome the limitations, how hungry we are to succeed. 

Part of the series- I Am Possible