The Travails and Aspirations of India's Finest Woman Boxer- Mary Kom The six-times boxing world champion Mary Kom has clinched gold for India in the (48 kg category) boxing beating Ukraine's Hanna Okhota

By Komal Nathani

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The six-times boxing world champion Mary Kom has clinched gold for India in the (48kg category) boxing beating Ukraine's Hanna Okhota in a unanimous 5-0 verdict. She won her last gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games.

After the magnificient win, Kom shared her feelings on Twitter saying, "She dedicates her medal to her three children, coaches and sports staff for believing in her."

After a sabbatical of two-years, Kom has made a stunning comeback in boxing. Over the years, she has not just brought India's name on the top of the world in boxing but have also trained many young boxers through her academy as a trainer and an entrepreneur.

Here's a quick look at the excerpts of the interview of Mary Kom done a few days ago for her exemplary work as an entrepreneur in Manipur.

"Never ever had I imagined that my journey would take me this far," said the five times world boxing champion MC Mary Kom who is now giving wings to aspiring young boxers through her academy. Eager to ensure that the young boxers get what she did not have growing up, the Olympic Bronze medalist made her foray into entrepreneurship two years ago and is now expanding her academy in other cities. The 35-year old Kom opened her academy in her hometown Imphal in Manipur to promote not just boxing but also the other sports in the state. The academy provides training facilities for both boys and girls.

Her husband K Onler Kom has been the pillar of strength throughout, and even in her entrepreneurial journey, he has not lagged behind in extending his full support

While Mary looks after her sports and political career along with academy, her husband undertakes all the managerial decisions of the academy. When the duo was asked about their vision for the academy, they said, "We do not just deal with sports/boxing but also education and personality development activities, which eventually empowers students to the core. This will also inspire and influence the women in the country and make them realize that they are very much capable of doing what men can."

Fighting with the grave infrastructural setbacks, India's only woman boxer Kom is working day in and day out to provide the best possible facilities to aspiring sportspersons in India. Through her academy, she wants to train underprivileged youth and turn them into champions of tomorrow by giving them throughout support. The facilities will include world-class standard comprising indoor stadium with gallery and multi-boxing ring, gymnasium with sauna, physiotherapy, hostel, apartment for coaches and staff, guest house, dining and kitchen etc.

To bring the Olympic Gold medal to India is still the topmost dream for this "Magnificent Mary'.

Komal Nathani

Former Correspondent, Entrepreneur Asia Pacific

A firm believer of hard work and patience. Love to cover stories that hold a potential to change the momentum of business world. Currently, a part of all-women web team of Entrepreneur’s Asia Pacific edition to jig the wheel of business journalism!

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