Mary Kom In Quarters Of Boxam International Tournament In Spain

Mary Kom Boxam International Tournament: Six-time world champion Mary Kom came out on top as she found a place in the quarterfinals of the Boxam International Tournament in Castellon, Spain on Tuesday.

Kom is also spearheading the 12-member Indian boxing team in Spain. Asian Games gold medallist Amit Panghal has also secured a spot in the quarterfinals among 12 Indian boxers when draws for the event were unveiled. All the nine Tokyo Olympics-bound boxers from India along with five others are featured in the tournament, the Boxing Federation of India (BFI) said in a release.

Kom (51kg) is competing for the first time since qualifying for the Olympics last year. She remains the key highlight of the Indian team as the pugilist is all set to return to the ring for the first time since the Asian Olympic Qualifiers held in Jordan in March 2020.

In October last year, the boxers from India travelled to Italy and France for a training competition ahead of the Tokyo Olympics (starting from July 23, 2021), celebrated boxer Kom, however, had to skip the training due to an illness.

The 38-year-old Kom became the first female boxer from India to win an Olympic medal in boxing when she won a bronze at London in 2012.

Mission Tokyo Olympics

This will be her second Olympic appearance. Talking about her Tokyo dreams and finally getting the opportunity to earn that elusive gold, Kom in an exclusive conversation with SheThePeople.TV, said, “Every athlete dreams of competing at the Olympics and winning a gold medal and I’m no different. It’s the biggest sporting event for a sportsperson, however, I feel the best approach at this stage is to calm my nerves when necessary. Focusing on the goal is essential instead of letting ourselves be under pressure. Pressures are not always constructive. I will just give my best effort, and that will be my master plan."

“As I plan to hang up my gloves after an 18-year-long career, Tokyo feels special, but it is also stressful because I want to win a gold medal at any cost. It does bother me a little bit that I am retiring after this,” Kom said.

The mother of three said she loves “boxing." "As long as I am physically fit, I am not scared of anyone. I believe in my ability and mental strength,” Mary Kom claims. Kom will face off Italian Giordana Sorrentino in her opening bout on Wednesday.