Mary Kom to return after two-year break

JAIPUR — It’s been a long break for MC Mary Kom. After helping India clinch a bronze in the London Olympics a year and a half back, the boxer from Manipur decided to give more time to her family.

But when the women pugilists hit the ring in New Delhi on Tuesday for the Core group tournament ahead of the selection trials for the Commonwealth Games, all eyes will be on the Olympic medallist.

The two-day tournament will see country’s top boxers make a bid to impress the selectors ahead of the main trials later this month. With Sarita Devi and Pinky Jhangra also taking part in the meet, it may not be a cakewalk for the Olympian. Even Mary agrees.

“I have been out of the ring for quite sometime and it’s difficult to stage a comeback. But I have worked hard in the last one month. Hopefully things will go my way,” Mary told TOI on Monday.

After the bronze in London, Mary gave birth to her third child, which delayed her return to the ring.

“I had to undergo a few surgeries as well, so it was not easy to return. I started training last month, after almost two years. It was difficult initially but things got better with every passing day,” she said.

There were doubts whether the boxer would be able to reduce her weight before the tournament, but Mary claims to have worked hard to ensure that her body weight is back to 51kg.

“I still need to regain my fitness level and I’m working on that. At the moment I am nearly 80 per cent fit. But I’m happy to have lost my weight. I had gained a few kilos after surgeries but things are back to normal now,” the boxer said.

“Every bout is important for me. With the youngsters coming in, I will be facing tough challenges. My job is to concentrate and ensure that the refereeing decisions don’t go against me. I need to regain self-confidence,” she added.