NEW DELHI, May 8 (PTI): An Olympic medal is the biggest dream of her life and ahead of the only qualifying event for women boxers, India�s five-time world champion MC Mary Kom said a podium finish in London would give her the freedom to leave the ring on a high.
The 29-year-old Manipuri, who is a living legend in women�s boxing and nicknamed �Magnificent Mary� by the International body, leaves today for the World Championships in Qinhuangdao, China starting May 9.
Women�s boxing makes its debut at the Olympics in London this July in three weight categories � 51kg, 60kg and 75kg � giving Mary Kom a chance to add a title that would complete her decorated cupboard.
�I am at my best right now and Olympic is my biggest dream. If I win a medal there, it will set me free as far as my future is concerned. I might continue or might decide to go,� Mary Kom said ahead of the 10-member team�s departure.
After over a decade inside the ring, the mother-of-two has achieved everything that is there to be achieved inside the ring and she says even if a medal doesn�t come in London, she would be content with what she has done.
�It is important (that I get the Olympic medal) but it is not everything. After fighting it out for over 10 years, I have got nothing to prove,� she asserted.
�Besides, if I put too much pressure on myself, I might not be able to do well. I have to take it one bout at a time,� she said.
She expects the competition to be more tough than ever given that an Olympic berth is at stake.
�I can�t take anyone lightly. I have to take each of my opponent very seriously, concentrate hard and remain confident without taking too much pressure. That�s a lot of work,� she chuckled. Apart from Mary Kom, Asian champion L Sarita Devi (60kg) and Pooja Rani (75kg) are the other Indian competitors in the Olympic categories and national coach Anoop Kumar is quite optimistic about their chances as well.
