Mary Kom was born in the Moirang Lamkhai village of Kagathei in the Churachandpur district of Manipur, India. She was born into the Kom family, which was impoverished. Mangte Tonpa Kom and Mangte Akham Kom, her parents, were jhum-farming tenants. Chungneijang was her moniker. Kom grew up in a low-income household, assisting her parents with farm tasks, attending school, and initially learning athletics and subsequently boxing at the same time. In his early years, Kom’s father was an avid wrestler. She is the oldest of three siblings, with a younger sister and a younger brother. Her parents are Christian Baptists, and she was raised in a Christian home.

Boxing Career

Kom took a short break from boxing after her marriage. Kom re-started her training after giving birth to her first child. She won a silver medal in the 2008 Asian Women’s Boxing Championships in India[34], followed by a gold medal at the 2008 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in China, and a gold medal at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam.

Kom won gold at the Asian Women’s Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan in 2010, as well as the 2010 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in Barbados, which was her fifth consecutive gold medal. After AIBA discontinued the 46 kg class, she participated in Barbados in the 48 kg weight category.

Journey through the Olympic Games

Kom competed in the 2012 AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championship not only for the title, but also for a spot in the 2012 London Olympics, which was the first time women’s boxing had been included in the Olympics. Nicola Adams of the United Kingdom defeated her in the 51 kg semi-finals, although she was awarded a bronze medal. Laishram Sarita Devi nearly missed a berth in the 60 kg class, making her the only Indian woman to qualify for the boxing event.

Her mother travelled with Kom to London. Kom’s coach, Charles Atkinson, was unable to accompany her to the Olympic Village because he lacked the International Boxing Association (AIBA) 3 Star Certification required for accreditation.

She beat Tunisia’s Maroua Rahali 15–6 in the quarter-finals the next day. On August 8, 2012, she faced Nicola Adams of the United Kingdom in the semi-finals, losing 6 to 11 points. She came in third place and won an Olympic bronze medal. At a cabinet meeting on August 9, 2012, the Manipur government presented her with Rs 50 lakhs and two acres of land as a token of appreciation.