'It has been a great encouragement'

Mary Kom is a five-time world champion and an Olympic bronze medallist.

I wanted to prove to the world that the sport is not just for men and that determination helped me become a five-time World amateur boxing champion. I have won a medal in each of the six World Championships and I’m hungry for more. I am training hard and preparing for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games and I hope to do better than my bronze medal-winning performance at the 2012 London Olympics.

I am happy that Sportstar has completed 40 years. In commemoration of 40 years of service in sports media, I acknowledge the support and coverage given to me and my performance in my boxing career by Sportstar. It has been a great encouragement and promotion for me.

(As told to Y.B. Sarangi)