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The iconic MC Mary Kom is making her highly anticipated comeback at the second Indian Open. The tournament is set to take place at the Karmabir Nabin Chandra Bordoloi Indoor Stadium in Guwahati, Assam, starting May 20. Over the course of five days, the competition will showcase the skills of 35 male and 37 female boxers.
This tournament marks Mary Kom's first competitive appearance since she skipped the 2019 Asian Championship to focus on the upcoming World Championships—a critical event that could secure her a direct ticket to the 2020 Olympics. Despite a career filled with unmatched achievements, the Assam native shows no signs of retiring. She has already had a fantastic start to 2019, climbing to the top of the AIBA world rankings in the Light Fly (45-48 kg) division following her sixth World Championship victory in Delhi last year.
Transitioning to a new weight category can be intimidating, but Mary remains unfazed and confident in her training. Speaking with Scroll.in, she mentioned that her preparation for the 51kg class is going well, adding that after gauging the level of competition in Germany, she feels ready to push herself and test her limits in this tournament before the World Championships.
Competing in her home region means Mary will have a passionate North-east crowd backing her. She expressed her delight that Assam is hosting the event, noting that since the North-East is such a hub for athletic talent, it's a great chance for young aspiring boxers to be inspired by watching top athletes compete in person.
The Indian Open is essentially a stepping stone toward the crucial World Championship in September. If she performs well there, her ultimate goal will be capturing an Olympic gold medal—the only major prize that has eluded her throughout her legendary career.
With her immense experience and proven ability to perform under pressure, the six-time World Champion enters the Assam tournament as one of the top contenders for the title.
Written by: Nithin John