Narmada aims to follow in Mary Kom’s footsteps

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Mary Kom may have been slightly disappointed by not getting the gold but her bronze medal at the Olympics has inspired a boxer in Chennai to follow in her footsteps and represent the country in future.

“I am obsessed with Mary Kom’s style of boxing. Her skills are extraordinary. Her punches land in quick time.

I want to follow her style and develop into an international boxer,” said 20-year-old D. Narmada, national silver medalist in the middleweight (75 kg) category.

The only daughter of boxer Dilli Babu, it was natural for the young girl to take to the ring. “I got interested in the sport after seeing senior girls practising boxing at the nearby stadium.

When I insisted on learning, my father agreed to coach me,” said Narmada, who trained in karate before she moved to boxing when she was 11 years old.

Narmada, who is the state senior women champion, won the gold at the All India Inter-University Championship this year. She has also bagged silver at the senior nationals at Thrissur in 2011.

“I was selected for the Indian camp three times. In 2009, I came close to being selected for the world junior championship, but had to withdraw from the camp because of appendicitis,” said Narmada, who is looking forward to the next opportunity.

A bachelor of physical education (B.P.Ed) student at the Tamil Nadu Physical Education and Sports University, Narmada has immersed herself in sports.

“I am trying to get a job through a sports quota. However, so far, there has been no opening in Tamil Nadu for a women boxer. I hope Mary Kom’s exploits change things here,” she said.

Narmada said that the sport makes her look masculine.

“Physically, the training makes us look manly. However, if we are worried about it we cannot achieve anything,” she told Deccan Chronicle.

To motivate the boxing champion call her at 91768-41439.

(sujatha.s@deccanmail.com [2])