GUWAHATI, Jan 12 � London Olympics bronze medallist boxer MC Mary Kom said she is gearing up for the Rio Olympics in 2016 and working hard to earn a berth for the Greatest show on the Earth.
Talking to the media persons here today during the Dalmia Bharat Cement�s second anniversary celebration, the iconic boxer from Manipur said, she has already started training after recovering from back and hamstring injury. Mary Kom is the brand ambassador of Dalmia Cement Bharat Limited.
The five time world champion boxer revealed that after winning the elusive Asian Games gold medal in Incheon, she became confident that she can qualify for the Rio Games. She, whoever, said this year she has to play some qualifying tournaments which will be not a cake walk for her.
She expressed confidence of winning a gold in Rio but said it will definitely be her swansong from the ring.
Mary said, despite her busy schedule these days, she is trying to have work out at her academy in Imphal. �I want to win a gold medal for my country in the Rio Olympics in 2016�.
She will participate in few competitions during next few months in order to judge her fitness and also to have match practice. Mary Kom will have to fight in the 51 kg category in Olympics as she did in Incheon.
Stressing on fitness she said, all the boxers have to work hard to keep themselves fit. The men boxers, in particular have to be fit and fast as now they have to fight without face guard.
The champion boxer has set up MC Mary Kom Boxing Academy at the Langol Games Village residential complex in Imphal and working and hard for imparting training to the young guns so that champion boxers could be produced.
Asked about proposed similar academy in Assam, she said that the Assam Government is yet to talk officially on this matter, but she is ready to help if such project is started in Assam. She, however, said it is not easy to run an academy because after starting the academy it will be very difficult to run.
On up and coming boxers, she advised to take the examples of her life and follow the good ones. They must work hard as champions are not made overnight.
Mary Kom expressed satisfaction over her biopic and hoped it will be able to inspire the youngsters in taking sports seriously.
Expressing concern over the newly formed Boxing India, she said the organisers have to short out the disputes with the Indian Olympic Association so that the young talents can compete in important events like the forthcoming National Games and other national championships. She also hoped Sarita Devi will be able to make a comeback successfully.
The executive director of the Dalmia Bharat Cement Limited Abhra Banerjee and senior executive director BK Singh explain about company�s marketing aspects.
