The pandemic has changed a lot in and around us and also in sports. COVID-19 has halted several tournaments including the Tokyo Olympics and has also pegged back several athletes in their preparation leading up to the Summer Games. One such sportsperson is London 2012 Bronze medallist boxer Mary Kom.
Kom started her 2020 with a bang as she qualified for her second Olympics that will be happening in Tokyo. However, then the pandemic happened and I halted everything and has taken a huge toll on everyone.
The veteran boxer was also suffering from dengue and it took her longer than usual to recover from the disease. Therefore she failed to make it to the Indian boxing camp in Europe later last year.
It has been a dreadful period for the 37-year old boxer as she had gained weight and lost muscle. Kom has now resumed training and has also joined the national camp in January and since then it has only been hard work for the Olympic Bronze medallist.
“My body feels good. The dengue wreaked havoc, I lost a lot of muscle because of it and my weight had shot up drastically. I was weighing 57-59kgs till last month,” Mary Kom, who competes in the 51 kg category, told PTI in an interview.
“But all it took was 15 days of regimented training at the national camp in Bengaluru and now I am back to my usual weight of 51-52 kgs. The muscles are also in shape, so I think I am good to go.”
Mary Kom will now get back to the ring in her next event at Boxam in Valencia which will start on March 1. This will be her first trip to a foreign country in a year since the pandemic. Therefore she is a bit sceptical about the whole situation.
“I was afraid of travelling and I will still be very cautious and concerned but then how long can you go on fearing? The cycle has to stop at some point,” said Mary Kom.
“One just has to be sensible to avoid the virus and I am trying my best to be that, wearing masks, maintaining personal hygiene like always.”
When quizzed about her expectations from the upcoming event and also in Tokyo, Mary Kom was smart enough to keep it diplomatic. The 37-year old would not want to feel that baggage called expectations and perform best to her capabilities.
“I would again say what I always say when I am asked about expectations. I will give my best, the result, however, is not in my hands. I am in a joyful space in my life. I intend to keep it that way,” she concluded.
