Mumbai: Legendary boxer Mary Kom, the only woman to clinch six world championship titles, is now eyeing the elusive Olympic gold medal next year as her crowning glory.
The 35-year-old pugilist from Manipur said winning gold at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be a big challenge. “Muhammad Ali was my inspiration when I learned boxing. After all these years, I feel there’s nothing much to achieve. I already (have) all the medals in the game.
“I have medals from the Olympics, Asian Games, six World titles, Commonwealth Games. But I am still hungry to achieve only one (medal), that is the gold at the Olympics,” said Mary Kom here Thursday. “Being an athlete, I am dreaming (hoping) for that one chance,” added “Magnificent Mary”, who is the event ambassador of the January 20 Tata Mumbai Marathon. But the star boxer admits that the 2020 Olympics, to be held in Tokyo, will be a big challenge.
“It is a very big challenge. Even London 2012 was also a big challenge for me. It was the first time I fought in the 51kg category. After that, I missed the qualification for Rio (Olympics).
“This time I am trying (to qualify). If there is possibility, I will get young boys (who are) stronger than me (for training). “Seniors – I don’t think they will come to train with me as they have their own training camps going on,” explained Mary Kom. (PTI)
