New Delhi: Olympic bronze medallist Saina Nehwal put a question, on Friday, to another bronze winner, MC Mary Kom, who is a mother of twins, as to how she managed the game of punches post marriage.
Mary Kom revealed this interesting incident at a private felicitation ceremony of the Olympics medal-winners here.
The five-time world boxing champion told mediapersons that “Saina today asked me that after marriage and after having two kids how I am managing boxing? I told her that you too will get married some day and have kids, then you will also be able to strike a blanace between your game and personal life, but for that you need willpower.
“The discipline of boxing is a tough one and after marriage it can’t be played without the support of the family and husband. I am thankful to my husband and family with whose support I could continue the game even after marriage,” said she.
While Mary Kom narrated the incident, Saina, who was sitting beside her, could not stifle her smile and a roar of laughter erupted in the function.
Mary Kom further said that when she started boxing, boys used to tell her that it was not her cup of tea as it was a game meant for boys.
She vowed then and there to prove them wrong and she has exactly done that, she said.
Incidentally, 2012 was also the first time that boxing has featured women at the Olympics.
Saina, meanwhile, said her medal at the London Games would motivate her to attain greater heights in badminton.
She said she wanted to bring more laurels to the country and do one better in Rio four years from now.
“This medal will provide me with the motivation to do bigger things. When I play in the next Olympics I don’t have the pressure of not winning a medal and that would lessen the burden,” Saina said.
“I hope I stay fit and bring more glory to my country. I have a few tournaments coming up, I will concentrate on doing well there first.”
Saina said she had still to overcome the Chinese barrier and the challenges would be much tougher in the days to come.
“In London I beat one Chinese and lost to one. There were only four Chinese in the Olympics while in the super series and other tournaments there would be close to 10 of them, so there are tougher days ahead,” she said at a ceremony organised by the Indian Olympic Association on Friday. (Agencies)