NEW DELHI, May 22 (IANS): MC Mary Kom, India�s sole woman boxer at the London Olympics, will train with her male counterparts in Patiala ahead of the summer extravaganza.
The five-time world champion had lady luck to thank as she qualified for the Olympics after England�s Nicola Adams advanced to the finals of the World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China. After Mary Kom lost in the quarterfinals to Nicola on Wednesday, the Indian�s Olympic qualification hinged on the latter�s progress in the tournament.
�I need to improve all my aspects of fighting. I have to work-out more and I have to improve mentally. I have seen a lot of videos of my rivals and analysed them a lot. I will be going to Patiala to train with the boys and I think that will improve me further,� she told reporters here on Monday.
Talking about her loss to the eventual champion, she said: �In this sport you have your ups and downs, it happens. It was the first time I fought a European boxer at the Worlds.
The Manipuri returned empty-handed from the world event for the first time.
�I couldn�t come back with a medal but I don�t mind that much, it is just a game. At the Olympics, I am confident of beating the English boxers. I have learnt a lot (from the defeat) and now I know their technique.�
Mary Kom, who will be appearing at an Olympics for the first time after 51, 60 and 75 kgs weight categories were included in the competition, was confident of a good show in London.