India is a nation where only cricket sweeps people off their feet and a die-hard fan of the game does not mind taking the extreme step to end his life just because India has lost the match. In a country where cricketers are given the status of God, imagine how a sport like boxing would ever find a place in the heart of these cricket crazy people. And if it is women's boxing, earning that same fan following and respect is even more difficult and unthinkable.

But having tried and still trying to do so is a mother of two and a five times World Boxing Champion successively, Mangte Chungneijang Marykom also known as MC Mary Kom, a great sporting figure hailing from the hinterland of Manipur, India.

Mary Kom, who switched to boxing from athletics following the success of fellow Manipur boxer Dingko Singh in Asian Games ’98, had a really tough early life. She came from a very poor family background. She would help her parents’ work in the fields, cutting woods, making charcoal and fishing. She took to sports to support her family financially.

In 2000, she began boxing and was always a quick learner. She learned the techniques and the finer nuances of the game rapidly. Mary wanted to hide her interest from her parents but when a picture of her winning a 2000 state championship appeared in the newspaper, her father scolded her badly. But, it did not deter her dream to become a world class boxer.

Having made a name for herself at the national level, Mary Kom entered into the international ring, which brought her a series of gold medals and fame. Get a glimpse of her international achievements:

• In 2001, making her debut in the 1st Women World Boxing Championship held at Pennsylvania USA, she won silver medal in the 46-kg class.
• In the Second Association Internationale de Boxe Amateur (AIBA) World Women's Senior Boxing Championship (2002) held at Antalya, Turkey, she won gold medal.
• In 2004, she clinched gold in the 46-kg division of the Women's World Boxing Tournament in Tønsberg, Norway defeating Xia Li of China by RSCO-2 in the final.
• At the Third AIBA Women's World Championships held at Podolsk, Russia, she successfully defended her 46-kg world title.
• In 2006 at the AIBA World Championships held at New Delhi, Mary Kom again won the 46-kg division.
• After taking a two-year sabbatical, Mary came back to the boxing ring as a mother of two sons, only to clinch her fourth successive AIBA World Championships' gold at Ningbo City in China in 2008. Her amazing feat earned her the tag of 'Magnificent Mary' from the AIBA.
• In 2010, in 48-kg class, Mary Kom won her Fifth Consecutive World Boxing Championship Title in Bridgetown, Barbados. She is the only boxer to have won a medal in each one of the six World Championships.

Mary Kom was the first woman ever to receive the prestigious Arjuna award in 2004 for her achievement in boxing. She has also been honoured with the Padma Shri in 2006 and the 'Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna', India's highest sporting honour in 2009.

Besides being a great sportsperson and having earned much fame and money, her simplicity, and humility remain deep rooted in the ground. In an academy named after her in Manipur, a generous Mary Kom teaches boxing to kids.

Battling poverty and lack of proper infrastructure, she has emerged a world-class boxer. However, she still has a mission to achieve - a Gold medal at the London Olympics, 2012. "My gloves have done the job. I won't be finished till I stand on the podium at the 2012 London Olympics," said Mary, reflecting her strong determination and a Never-Say-Die attitude. She has etched an image for herself as one of the strongest Indian women, who fought the conservative system to pursue her interest.

Team MSN She