The Queen of Boxing

Based on your reading of the text, answer the following questions in two or three sentences
each:

a) How did Mary Kom manage to get financial support for her trip to the USA?

Mary Kom’s father managed to get Rs.2000/- from his source. Her friends met two MPs and
got a sum of eight thousand rupees. A little more money had been collected from other
source. Thus Mary Kom managed to get financial support for her trip to the USA.

b) Why did Mary Kom think that she should not return empty-handed?

Mary Kom was provided with funds from her well wishers. They had confidence in her and
donated liberally. She did not want to disappoint them. Hence she thought that she should not
return empty-handed.

c) What was her first impression of America?

At the time Mary Kom reached America, it was snowing. Pennyslvania was cold and beautiful.
She felt that the people were enormously nice too.

d) Why did she call herself ‘lucky’?

After a long journey when she reached America, She was tired and suffering from jet lag. She
did not have any match that day. Since she had time to take rest, she called herself ‘lucky’.

e) According to Mary Kom, what was the reason for her losing in the finals?

In USA, Mary Kom had loss of appetite. She was not accustomed to the food in America and
she could not eat. As a result, she lost her weight. This was the reason for her losing in the
finals.

f) What made her feel confident about the competitive players? Explain.

Mary Kom kept on wining the matches and reached finals. She realised boxers were not
unbeatable. This made her feel confident about the competitive players.

g) What difficulty did she experience while eating Chinese food?

In China, Mary Kom was provided with chopsticks to eat meal. She ended up using both her
hands to hold the chopstick to pick up the food and push it into her mouth. Though she found
difficulty in eating, she enjoyed Chinese food.
h) How was she felicitated on her return to India?

At Delhi, Mary Kom was given a warm welcome at the airport. In Imphal, she was greeted with
garlands and drumbeats and dancing. A felicitation programme was held in Langol. There she
was given adulation. She was presented with a traditional shawl.

i) What did she consider her greatest achievement? Why?

Mary Kom retained her world title in 2006 by defeating Steluta Duta of Romania 22-7 at the
Fourth World Championships in New Delhi. She considered it her greatest achievement
because she was able to win at home. The media named her “Queen of Boxing” and
“Magnificent Mary”.

3. Answer the following questions in a paragraph of about 100 – 150 words each:

i) Describe Mary Kom’s personal experiences during her first International Championship
match from the time of selection to winning the medal.

Mary Kom, an Indian boxer, was selected in the 48 kg category for the International Boxing
Association, World Women’s Boxing Championships in Pennsylvania, USA, in November –
December 2001. Mary Kom’s father managed to get Rs.2000/- from his source. Her friends met
two MPs and got a sum of eight thousand rupees for her trip. A little more money had been
collected from other source. Her well wishers had confidence in her and donated liberally. She
did not want to upset them. So she thought that she should not return empty handed. When
she reached America, She was tired and suffering from jet lag. She did not have any match that
day. She had time to take rest. And also she kept telling herself that she could face anyone in
the ring. This made her feel confident about the competitive players. She was qualified for the
finals whereas her team mates could not. She was even hopeful of getting the gold. But she
had loss of appetite there. She was not accustomed to the food in America. She could not eat.
As a result, she lost her weight. This was the reason for her losing in the finals. She was quite
disappointed. But her coaches consoled her and lauded her on the silver win. Moreover she
was the only one in the team to get a medal. She took away from this championship the firm
belief that she could take on any boxer.

ii) Lack of adequate financial resources and sponsorships often affect sportspersons. How is
this evident from Mary Kom’s life?

Mary Kom, an Indian boxer, was selected in the 48 kg category for the International Boxing
Association, World Women’s Boxing Championships in Pennsylvania, USA, in November –
December 2001. Mary Kom’s father managed to get Rs.2000/- from his source. Her friends met
two MPs and got a sum of eight thousand rupees for her trip. A little more money had been
collected from other source. Her well wishers had confidence in her and donated liberally. She
did not want to upset them. So she thought that she should not return empty handed. She
came back with a silver medal. But she was not happy over this. She determined to get gold for
India. The silver in Pennsylvania and prize money from the government had put an end to her
immediate financial worries. But she wanted a job since it would provide a steady and security
income. When she was getting married she had no savings except a couple of life insurance
policies. In 2005, Manipur government offered her a sub inspector job. Subsequently she got
rid of her financial problems.

iii) Why was Mary Kom named the ‘Queen of Boxing’ and ‘Magnificent Mary?”

Mary Kom won the Bangkok Championship, after that she was selected for World Women’s Boxing
Championship in Pennsylvania USA. Though it was her first overseas travel, she won all the matches
and reached the finals. While her team mates lost one after the other, she reached finals and won
silver medal, this gave her confidence to face the boxers in the ring. She received silver medal from
World Women’s Boxing Championship in 2001. She was greeted well in India. From 2001 to 2004
Mary Kom won several golds. She participated in many International Championships and bagged
many medals. In the mean time she got married. Everyone was doubtful about her medal hauls. But
after the marriage she took part and won gold in the third and fourth World Women’s Boxing
Championships in October 2005 and November 2006. She retained her world title in 2006 by
defeating Steluta Duta of Romania at the fourth World Championships in New Delhi. She considered
it one of her greatest achievements. It was the most memorable for she was able to win at home.
She got hattrick win of world Championship. So the media named her the ‘Queen of Boxing’ and
‘Magnificent Mary’.