Mary Kom’s family and friends are glued to the television set during her bout against Great Britain’s Nicola Adams in the semifinal of women’s flyweight boxing on Wednesday. Despite losing 6-11 to the second seed, Mary Kom won a bronze to take India’s tally to four medals at the London Olympics. Photo: Special Arrangement
Moments after referee David Llaurado raised Nicola
Adams’ left arm to signal her victory in a semifinal bout of the 51 kg
women's flyweight boxing event in the London Olympics on Wednesday,
Manipur was plunged in darkness. Literally and metaphorically.
Punching
above her weight, the North Eastern State’s — and India’s — favourite
daughter, Mary Kom had just lost the chance to advance to the final of
the competition, losing 6-11 to the younger and taller Briton. Manipur
normally gets electricity for just a few hours a day but the authorities
kept the grid running long enough to allow Mary's fans to watch the
match live. Seconds after she lost, the lights went out.
Friends
and relatives who had gathered at the five-time world champion's
village, Langol, in Imphal West, bore her defeat to a quick-footed
opponent with a heavy heart, although they put up a brave face.
Mary's
father Tonpa, who had travelled all the way from his village Kangathei
to watch the match with friends and family in Imphal became emotional.
But he soon recovered, saying, “What has happened has happened. I am sad
that she lost the silver, but am very, very happy that she won the
bronze.”
On the streets of Manipur, men, women and
children wore their feelings on their faces. For, the ones that had
gathered in front of television screens seemed to have been certain in
their minds that they would be celebrating a famous win for their
champion pugilist.
Mary Kom's entry into the Olympics
united the Nagas, Meiteis and Kukis of Manipur who swept aside their
political differences and collectively prayed for her victory, says
Worngam Siro, a Tangkhul Naga who runs a retail shop in the city.
“All
of us feel very proud because such a talented boxer has achieved so
much from our small State. All the Koms and Kukis and Meiteis are my
brethren because we are the same,” he said.
This was
Mary's second loss to Nicola. The Manipuri mother of two had earlier
lost to her in the quarterfinals of the last world championship in a
tournament that was the qualifying event for the Olympics.
Even
though Mary is a five-time world champion in the 45 kg, 46 kg and 48 kg
categories, she had to fight well above her weight at the Olympics in
the 51 kg (flyweight) event and she had had to train specifically for
the higher weight category.
“Whether she lost or won,
does not matter. But she has put Manipur on the map of the world, and
we are extremely proud of her,” said Satyananda Meitei, one of her fans.
“This is a game and such things happen,” said another fan with tears in his eyes.
Despite formidable odds, Mary worked hard to reach this far. “But all is not lost, there will be a next time,” said Satyananda.
Ibomcha Singh, who coached Mary, said she had reached thus far through dedication, determination and discipline.
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