M. C. Mary Kom, Boxer
Boxer

M. C. Mary Kom

Born 24 November 1982 · Manipur

Winning six World Amateur Boxing Championships, a record unmatched by any female boxer.

Mangte Chungneijang "Mary" Kom is an Indian Olympic boxer, politician, and former Member of Rajya Sabha. She is the only woman to win the World Amateur Boxing Championship six times, the only female boxer to have won a medal in each one of the first seven World Championships, and the only boxer to win eight World Championship medals. Nicknamed Magnificent Mary, she was the only Indian female boxer to have qualified for the 2012 Summer Olympics, where she competed in the flyweight (51 kg) category and won a bronze medal. She had also been ranked as the world's No.

✨

A detail that
surprised us

“

Mary Kom won a World Amateur Boxing Championship medal in every one of the first seven editions, a feat no other female boxer has achieved.

The Story

1
🥊 Born in 1982 in Manipur to a tenant farmer family, Mary Kom trained secretly in boxing despite early objections from her community and parents, who believed boxing was only for boys. Her breakthrough came after winning the state championship in 2000, forcing her family to accept her talent and passion.
2
👑 By 2008, Mary Kom had earned the nickname 'Magnificent Mary' after becoming the only woman to win six World Amateur Boxing Championships, a record that includes eight World Championship medals in total, unmatched by any male or female boxer.
3🥉 At the 2012 London Olympics, Mary Kom was the lone Indian female boxer, competing in the flyweight category and winning a bronze medal — India’s second boxing Olympic medal ever — by defeating tough opponents from Poland and Tunisia before losing to the eventual champion.
4🏆 In 2014 and 2018, she made history again by winning the first-ever gold medals for an Indian woman boxer at the Asian Games and Commonwealth Games respectively, solidifying her dominance on continental stages.

🏅 Awards & Honours

—
Padma Vibhushan

🔍 One thing most people don't know

“

Mary Kom is the only boxer, male or female, to have won eight World Championship medals, including six golds, spanning from 2002 to 2010.

🖼️

Through the Years

4 photographs from the archives
M. C. Mary Kom running with the Queen's Baton at Wagah Border, Punjab during Delhi 2010 (2010).
M. C. Mary Kom running with the Queen's Baton at Wagah Border, Punjab during Delhi 2010 (2010).
2010
M. C. Mary Kom receiving a Rs. 20 Lakh cheque for her London Olympic Bronze Medal in New Delhi (2012).
Prime Minister Manmohan Singh honours M. C. Mary Kom for her Olympic Bronze Medal in New Delhi (2012).
M. C. Mary Kom at the launch of National Youth Policy and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Abhiyan in New Delhi (2014).

🗓️ A Life in Moments

🕊️
Birth
Birth in Manipur
Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom was born in Manipur, India, into a tenant farming family, setting the stage for her humble beginnings.
1982
⚡
Career
Wins State Boxing Championship
Mary Kom won the Manipur state boxing championship, marking her emergence as a serious contender and convincing her family to support her boxing career.
2000
⚡
Career
First World Amateur Boxing Gold
Mary Kom won her first World Amateur Boxing Championship gold medal, beginning a record-breaking run in the tournament's history.
2002
🌟
Other
Gives Birth to Twins
Mary Kom gave birth to twins and took a break from boxing before making a triumphant return to the sport.
2007
⚡
Career
Bronze at London Olympics
Mary Kom won bronze in women's flyweight boxing at the London Olympics, the first time women's boxing was included in the Games.
2012
⚡
Career
Gold at Asian Games
Mary Kom became the first Indian woman boxer to win gold at the Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea.
2014
🌟
Other
Nominated to Rajya Sabha
Mary Kom was nominated as a member of the Rajya Sabha, marking her entry into Indian politics.
2016
⚡
Career
Gold at Commonwealth Games
She won gold at the Commonwealth Games, becoming the first Indian woman boxer to do so.
2018
More moments to come...
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🗝️Discoveries

Swipe to uncover hidden stories
01 / 05
👤PERSONAL

After giving birth to twins in 2007, Mary Kom returned to competitive boxing and continued to win major international titles, defying the typical career trajectory for female athletes post-motherhood.

02 / 05
🌍HISTORICAL IMPACT

Mary Kom was the only Indian female boxer to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, where women’s boxing made its debut, and she secured a bronze medal despite being forced to compete in a higher weight category.

03 / 05
🔍LESSER KNOWN

Her coach described how, with age, Mary Kom transitioned from a high-energy aggressive style to a precise, technical counterpunching style to preserve energy and outsmart younger opponents.

No quote recorded for M. C. Mary Kom yet.

🎙️ Speeches & Recordings

These recordings preserve the legacy of Bharat's icons
Mary Kom in Aap Ki Adalat: Mary Kom ने पहली बार करियर और निजी जिंदगी पर तोड़ी चुप्पी! | Rajat Sharma
More from this archive
Mary Kom in Aap Ki Adalat: Mary Kom ने पहली बार करियर और निजी जिंदगी पर तोड़ी चुप्पी! | Rajat Sharma
01
Mary Kom in Aap Ki Adalat: Mary Kom ने पहली बार करियर और निजी जिंदगी पर तोड़ी चुप्पी! | Rajat Sharma
Mary Kom - EK Champion Ki Kahani | From Breaking Stereotypes To Winning World Championships | TRS
02
Mary Kom - EK Champion Ki Kahani | From Breaking Stereotypes To Winning World Championships | TRS
Power Talk - Mary Kom
03
Power Talk - Mary Kom
MC Mary Kom On The Hot Seat! | KBC 14
04
MC Mary Kom On The Hot Seat! | KBC 14
Mary Kom (मैरी कॉम) 🙏 A Strong Inspiration for Us | Biography in Hindi | Record Sixth Gold Medal
05
Mary Kom (मैरी कॉम) 🙏 A Strong Inspiration for Us | Biography in Hindi | Record Sixth Gold Medal
Exclusive interview with Mary Kom
06
Exclusive interview with Mary Kom
Mary Kom in Aap Ki Adalat LIVE | Untold Life Story, Personal Life & Controversies Revealed | IndiaTV
07
Mary Kom in Aap Ki Adalat LIVE | Untold Life Story, Personal Life & Controversies Revealed | IndiaTV
Mary Kom in Aap Ki Adalat: अपने डाइवोर्स पर खुलकर बोलीं मैरी कॉम ! | Rajat Sharma
08
Mary Kom in Aap Ki Adalat: अपने डाइवोर्स पर खुलकर बोलीं मैरी कॉम ! | Rajat Sharma
The Untold Story of Mary Kom: Divorce, Accusations & a Nation Divided
09
The Untold Story of Mary Kom: Divorce, Accusations & a Nation Divided
Most Inspiring Speech By Mary Kom | Five-Time World Boxing Champion | Great Indian Minds
10
Most Inspiring Speech By Mary Kom | Five-Time World Boxing Champion | Great Indian Minds

🌱 What changed because of them

Mary Kom revolutionized women's boxing in India by breaking gender stereotypes and achieving unprecedented international success, leading to increased government support and the establishment of dedicated boxing training centers in Manipur. Her entry into the Rajya Sabha helped spotlight sports policies and grassroots athletic development in Northeast India.

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