‘Have to buy another medal for my sons’

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Mary Kom with her twin sons

Right from the day boxer M.C. Mary Kom set foot in London, the international media has been chasing her for interviews.

Talking to reporters has always been a difficult task for the mother of two, who says she isn’t good at public speaking.
On Wednesday, after losing her semi-final bout to Great Britain’s Nicola Adams, Mary — the epitome of a modern day woman who effortlessly juggles family and profession — was all smiles. The cries and shouts of her countrymen and India’s first medal in women’s boxing were her prized possession.
The international media hounded her yet again, wanting to know every bit about her village in Imphal, her growing up years, the struggle and triumphs of the pint-size boxer and of course, her twin sons.
Mary Kom giggled at almost everything, lapping up the experience and joy of fighting on the biggest stage.
“Should I be sad? I am happy. I am not returning empty-handed to my country,” she said drenched in sweat.
“But I have only won one medal and my children will fight. May be I will buy another from the market and gift them that!” she joked.
Mary Kom’s bronze is a start for women boxing, and she is hoping it will inspire others back home.
In the past, Mary Kom has sacrificed a lot. She missed her sons’ birthdays for the first time, did not know how to console her mother who would get emotional at times, her personal coach Charles Atkinson was not allowed to stay with her at the Athletes’ Village.
But on the day as she stood proud having raised India’s medal tally to four, she sounded another warning. “Everybody is asking why I lost. But nobody is saying that I managed to pick a medal in a category that was three kgs above mine. It is so difficult to put on weight. I used to eat, eat and eat!
“But if they introduce my weight category in 2016, I will knock out everybody. I believe in myself,” she said.
The 29-year then packed up and left for an array of interviews. “Only busy day, after this I will go home and help my children with their homework!”