Mary Kom: Age, Height, Career, Wife, Girlfriend, Family, Biography & More

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Biography – Wiki

Full name	Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom
Nickname(s)	Mary Kom, Magnificent Mary
Profession	Indian Olympic boxer/ Politician
Weight class	Atomweight, Flyweight
Career Turning Point	Her career defining moment was the Summer Olympics in 2012.
Physical Stats – Height – Weight & More
Weight (approx.)	48 kg (106 lb) / 51 kg (112 lb)
Height (approx.)	1.58 m (5 ft 2 in)
Eye Colour	Black
Hair Colour	Brown
Exploring the Personal Life of Mary Kom
Date of Birth	Mary Kom was born on March 1, 1983.
Age	As of 2024, Mary Kom is 41 years old.
Birthplace	She was born in Kangathei, Manipur, India.
Zodiac sign	Mary Kom's zodiac sign is Pisces.
Nationality	She holds Indian nationality.
Hometown	Her hometown is Kangathei, Manipur, India.
School	Mary Kom attended Loktak Christian Model High School, Moirang, Manipur, India, St. Xavier Catholic School, Moirang, Manipur, India, and Adimjati High School, Imphal, India.
College	She pursued her higher education at Churachandpur College, Manipur, India, affiliated with Manipur University.
Educational Qualification	Mary Kom is a graduate.
Religion	She follows Christianity.
Hobbies	Her hobbies include Martial Arts, Travelling, Watching TV, and Singing.
First Coach	Mary Kom's first coach was K. Kosana Meitei from Imphal, India.
Player Profile: Mary Kom
Boxing Career Statistics Medal record Women's amateur boxing Representing India Event 1st 2nd 3rd Olympic Games - - 1 World Championships 6 1 1 Asian Games 1 - 1 Commonwealth Games 1 - - Asian Championships 5 2 - Total 13 3 3 Olympic Games 2012 London Flyweight World Championships 2002 Antalya Pinweight 2005 Podolsk Pinweight 2006 New Delhi Pinweight 2008 Ningbo City Pinweight 2010 Bridgetown Light flyweight 2018 New Delhi Light flyweight 2001 Scranton Light flyweight 2019 Ulan-Ude Flyweight Asian Games 2014 Incheon Flyweight 2010 Guangzhou Flyweight Asian Championships 2003 Hisar Pinweight 2005 Kaohsiung Pinweight 2010 Astana Pinweight 2012 Ulaanbaatar Flyweight 2017 Ho Chi Minh City Light flyweight 2008 Guwahati Pinweight 2021 Dubai Flyweight Commonwealth Games 2018 Gold Coast Light flyweight Asian Indoor Games 2009 Hanoi Pinweight
Exploring the Family Tree: An Insight into Family Details
Family	Father: Mangte Tonpa Kom was a tenant farmer who worked in jhum fields and was a keen wrestler in his younger days. Mother: Mangte Akham Kom was also a tenant farmer who worked in jhum fields with Mary's father. Siblings: Mary has a younger sister and a brother. Chung, Nei, Jang (Younger)
Mary’s Early Career Journey
2000	Inspired by Dingko Singh's success, Mary Kom switches from athletics to boxing.
	Mary Kom started her boxing training under her first coach, K. Kosana Meitei, in Imphal.
	At the age of 15, Mary Kom decides to leave her hometown to study at the Imphal Sports Academy.
	In an interview with the BBC, Mary Kom's first coach remembers her as a dedicated and hardworking girl with a strong willpower.
	Mary Kom continues her training under Manipur state boxing coach M. Narjit Singh at Khuman Lampak.
	Mary Kom keeps her interest in boxing a secret from her father, who was initially concerned about potential facial injuries.
	Mary Kom's father learns about her boxing endeavors after her photo appears in a newspaper following her victory in the state boxing championship.
2003	Mary Kom's father begins to support her pursuits in boxing, convinced of her love and dedication to the sport.
Mary’s Professional Career Journey
2008	Mary Kom takes a short hiatus from boxing after her marriage but resumes training after giving birth to her first child.
2008	She won a silver medal at the 2008 Asian Women's Boxing Championship in India.
2008	Mary Kom secured her fourth successive gold medal at the 2008 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in China.
2009	She clinched a gold medal at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam.
2010	Mary Kom wins the gold medal at the Asian Women's Boxing Championship in Kazakhstan.
2010	She secured her fifth consecutive gold at the 2010 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Barbados, competing in the 48 kg weight category.
2010	Mary Kom competed in the 51 kg class at the 2010 Asian Games and won a bronze medal.
2011	She emerges victorious in the 48 kg class at the Asian Women's Cup in China, claiming the gold medal.
2010	On October 3, 2010, Mary Kom, along with Sanjay and Harshit Jain, had the honor of bearing the Queen's Baton in the opening ceremony run for the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi.
	She did not compete in the games as women's boxing was not included in the Commonwealth Games at that time.
	Mary Kom, previously fighting in the 46 and 48 kg categories, shifts to the 51 kg category following the decision by the world body to allow women's boxing in only three weight categories, eliminating the lower weight classes.
2012	At the 2012 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championship, Mary Kom competed not only for the championship but also for a place at the 2012 London Olympics, the first time women's boxing featured as an Olympic sport.
	She was defeated in the 51 kg quarter-finals by Nicola Adams of the UK.
	Mary Kom becomes the only Indian woman to qualify for the Olympic boxing event, while Laishram Sarita Devi narrowly misses a place in the 60 kg class.
	Accompanied by her mother, Mary Kom travels to London for the Olympics.
	Her coach Charles Atkinson is unable to join her at the Olympic Village due to not possessing an International Boxing Association (AIBA) 3 Star Certification, which is mandatory for accreditation.
	Mary Kom experiences a setback when all her luggage and passport are stolen on the way to the selection camp in Bangkok, Thailand, for her first Asian Women's Boxing Championships.
	In the first Olympic round on August 5, 2012, Mary Kom defeated Karolina Michalczuk of Poland 19–14 in the third women's boxing match ever to be fought at the Olympics.
	The following day, in the quarter-final, she defeated Maroua Rahali of Tunisia with a score of 15–6.
	Mary Kom faces Nicola Adams of the UK in the semi-final on August 8, 2012, and loses the bout 6 points to 11.
	Despite the loss, she secured the third position in the competition, earning an Olympic bronze medal.
	In recognition of her achievement, the Manipur Government awarded her Rs 50 lakhs and two acres of land in a cabinet meeting held on August 9, 2012.
2014	On October 1, 2014, Mary Kom secured her first gold medal in boxing at the 2014 Asian Games held in Incheon, South Korea, defeating Kazakhstan's Zhaina Shekerbekova in the flyweight (51 kg) summit clash.
2016	Despite her keenness to represent India at the 2016 Rio Olympics, Mary Kom was unable to qualify for the event.
	Mary Kom announces that the 2020 Tokyo Olympics will be her final appearance at the Summer Games.
2017	On November 8, 2017, Mary Kom achieved an unprecedented fifth gold medal (48 kg) at the Asian Boxing Confederation (ASBC) women's boxing championships held in Ho Chi Minh, Vietnam.
2018	Mary Kom wins her first gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in the women's light flyweight 48 kg category on April 14, 2018.
	On November 24, 2018, she became the first woman to win 6 World Championships, accomplishing this milestone at the 10th AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships held in New Delhi, India.
2019	In October 2019, Mary Kom was named as a female representative of boxing's athlete ambassadors’ group for the 2020 Summer Olympics in Tokyo by the International Olympic Committee (IOC).
2020	At the 2020 Summer Olympics, Mary Kom faced off against Colombian boxer Ingrit Valencia, the Rio Olympics bronze medalist.
	The match concludes with the commentator announcing the winner on points by split decision.
	There's a momentary pause before the announcer declares "in red." Mary Kom, in the blue corner, raises her fist in celebration, believing she has won, and does not hear the rest of the commentary mentioning "Ingrit Valencia."
	In an interview, Mary Kom expresses disbelief as she had previously beaten Valencia twice and was confident of victory.
2021	Mary Kom secures her 7th medal at the Asian Championships in May 2021 but loses the women's 51kg final to Nazym Kazaibay. She had won her first medal at the tournament in 2003.
	In the Asian Boxing Olympic Qualifying rounds held in August 2021, Mary Kom suffered a defeat to China's Chang Yuan in the semi-final.
Super Fight League
2012	Mary Kom makes an appearance on the final episode of the Super Fight League's mixed martial arts reality show – SFL Challengers. During this period, she discusses potential collaborations with owners Raj Kundra and Sanjay Dutt in roles beyond being a fighter.
2012	On September 24, 2012, the Super Fight League announced Mary Kom as the brand ambassador for the organization.
Mary Kom’s Greatest Achievements
Mary Kom, the renowned Indian boxer, has achieved remarkable success both internationally and nationally throughout her illustrious career. She has consistently showcased her prowess in the ring, earning numerous gold medals and accolades.
International Titles  Year Place Weight Competition Location 2001 48 AIBA Women's World Championships Scranton, Pennsylvania, USA 2002 45 AIBA Women's World Championships Antalya, Turkey 2002 45 Witch Cup Pécs, Hungary 2003 46 Asian Women's Championships Hisar, India 2004 41 Women's World Cup Tønsberg, Norway 2005 46 Asian Women's Championships Kaohsiung, Taiwan 2005 46 AIBA Women's World Championships Podolsk, Russia 2006 46 AIBA Women's World Championships New Delhi, India 2006 46 Venus Women's Box Cup Vejle, Denmark 2008 46 AIBA Women's World Championships Ningbo, China 2008 46 Asian Women's Championships Guwahati, India 2009 46 Asian Indoor Games Hanoi, Vietnam 2010 48 AIBA Women's World Championships Bridgetown, Barbados 2010 46 Asian Women's Championships Astana, Kazakhstan 2010 51 Asian Games Guangzhou, China 2011 48 Asian Women's Cup Haikou, China 2012 41 Asian Women's Championships Ulan Bator, Mongolia 2012 51 Summer Olympics London, United Kingdom 2014 51 Asian Games Incheon, South Korea 2017 48 Asian Women's Championships Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam 2018 45–48 Commonwealth Games Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia 2018 45–48 AIBA Women's World Championships New Delhi, India 2019 51 2019 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships Ulan-Ude, Russia National Achievements Gold – 1st Women Nat. Boxing Championship, Chennai 6–12.2.2001 The East Open Boxing Champ, Bengal 11–14 December 2001 2nd Sr World Women Boxing Championship, New Delhi 26–30 December 2001 National Women Sort Meet, N. Delhi 26–30 December 2001 32nd National Games, Hyderabad 2002 3rd Sr World Women Boxing Champ, Aizawl 4–8.3.2003 4th Sr WWBC, Kokrajar, Assam 24–28 February 2004 5th Sr WWBC, Kerala 26–30 December 2004 6th Sr WWBC, Jamshedpur 29 November-3.12.2005 10th WNBC, Jamshedpur lost QF by 1–4 on 5 October 2009
Awards and Recognitions
Mary Kom has redefined the standards of amateur boxing, achieving unprecedented success without venturing into professional boxing. In 2015, she made history by surpassing numerous professional athletes in India in terms of earnings, endorsements, and awards. Notably, she became the first amateur athlete to receive the prestigious Padma Bhushan award, highlighting her exceptional contributions to sports at the highest level.
National awards Year Awards Description Prize 2020 Padma Vibhushan (Sports) Recognized for her outstanding contribution to sports - 2013 Padma Bhushan (Sports) Honored for her remarkable achievements in boxing - 2009 Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna award Awarded for excellence in sports - 2006 Padma Shri (Sports) Conferred for her significant contributions to boxing - 2003 Arjuna Award (Boxing) Received for outstanding performance in boxing - Other awards and recognition   AIBA Legends awards Recognized for her promising boxing career by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) -   Brand ambassador for 2016 AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships Appointed by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) -   People of the Year - Limca Book of Records Acknowledged for her achievements -   CNN-IBN & Reliance Industries' Real Heroes Award Recognized for her remarkable contributions -   Pepsi MTV Youth Icon Honored as a youth icon -   ‘Magnificent Mary’ by AIBA Recognized by the International Boxing Association (AIBA) -   Ambassador for Women's Boxing by International Boxing Association Appointed as an ambassador for women's boxing by AIBA - 2010 Sahara Sports Award for Sportswoman of the year Acknowledged as the sportswoman of the year -   Olympians for Life by WOA Honored as an Olympian for life by the World Olympians Association - 2016 Honorary Doctorate degree (D.Litt) from North-Eastern Hill University Conferred with an honorary doctorate degree - 2019 Honorary Doctorate degree (DPhil) from Kaziranga University Conferred with another honorary doctorate degree - For the bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics 2012 Bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics Recognized for winning a bronze medal at the Olympics -   Cash award and land from Manipur Government ₹5 million (US$63,000) cash award and two acres of land ₹5 million (Manipur Government)   Cash award from Rajasthan Government ₹2.5 million (US$31,000) cash award ₹2.5 million (Rajasthan Government)   Cash award from Assam Government ₹2 million (US$25,000) cash award ₹2 million (Assam Government)   Cash award from Arunachal Pradesh Government ₹1 million (US$13,000) cash award ₹1 million (Arunachal Pradesh Government)   Cash award from Ministry of Tribal Affairs (India) ₹1 million (US$13,000) cash award ₹1 million (Ministry of Tribal Affairs)   Cash award from North Eastern Council ₹4 million (US$50,000) cash award ₹4 million (North Eastern Council)   'Meethoileima' title, Manipur Govt. (2018) Title conferred by the Manipur Government -
Political Career
On April 25, 2016, Mary Kom was nominated by the President of India as a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament. In March 2017, the Ministry of Youth Affairs and Sports, Government of India, appointed Mary Kom, along with Akhil Kumar, as national observers for boxing. These appointments mark Mary Kom's foray into the political arena and her continued involvement in promoting sports and youth development at a national level.
Relationships & More
Affairs/Girlfriends	Karung Onkholer (Onler) - Mary Kom met her future husband for the first time in 2000, following an incident where her luggage was stolen during a train journey to Bangalore. It was in New Delhi, en route to the National Games in Punjab, that she crossed paths with Onkholer, who was then a law student at Delhi University and also served as the president of the North East student’s body. Their initial acquaintance blossomed into a friendship, eventually leading to a romantic relationship.
Personal Life
Marital Status	Married
Marriage Date(s)	March 2005
Husband/Spouse	Karung Onkholer (Onler) – Mary and Karung tied the knot in 2005, four years after their initial meeting.
Children	Sons - Three: Rechungvar Kom and Khupneivar Kom, born as twins in 2007, and Prince Kom, born in 2013. Daughter - Additionally, in 2018, Mary and her husband welcomed a daughter named Merilyn through adoption.
Mary Kom’s Favorites
Food	Mary's favorite foods include 'Tahini' and 'Falafel'.
Actress	Priyanka Chopra is Mary's preferred actress.
Singer	Mary enjoys listening to songs by Lata Mangeshkar.
Sports	Mary's favorite sports include Volleyball, Football, Athletics, and Wrestling.
Style Quotient, Assets & Properties
Car Collection	Mercedes Benz GLS 350d: Mary Kom owns a luxurious Mercedes Benz GLS 350d, offering comfort and style with its premium features. Honda CR-V: Mary Kom also has a Honda CR-V, known for its reliability and spacious interior, making it ideal for family outings. Toyota Fortuner: Adding to her collection is a Toyota Fortuner, renowned for its ruggedness and off-road capabilities, perfect for adventurous drives. Mitsubishi Pajero Sport: Mary Kom owns a Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, known for its robust build and excellent performance, making it suitable for various terrains. Mahindra Bolero: She also has a Mahindra Bolero, appreciated for its durability and practicality, ideal for navigating rough roads. Maruti Suzuki Swift: Completing her car collection is a Maruti Suzuki Swift, known for its agility and fuel efficiency, perfect for city driving.
Assets / Properties	Mary Kom, the star athlete, currently resides with her family in New Delhi, India. She is frequently spotted engaging in various sports activities such as football and badminton with her loved ones.
Salary, Net Worth & Monthly Income
Net Worth	$10 Million
Monthly Income and Salary	5 Lakhs +
Yearly Income	50 Lakhs +

Unveiling the lesser-known facets of Mary Kom’s life

Early Life and Family Background

• Mary Kom was born in Kagathei village, Moirang Lamkhai in the Churachandpur district of rural Manipur, India. She hailed from a poor Kom family, with her parents, Mangte Tonpa Kom and Mangte Akham Kom, working as tenant farmers in jhum fields.
• Kom, originally named Chungneijang, grew up in humble surroundings, assisting her parents with farm-related chores while attending school. She learned athletics initially and later took up boxing simultaneously. Her father, a former wrestler, instilled a love for sports in her. She is the eldest of three children, with a younger sister and brother.
• Raised in a Christian Baptist family, Kom studied at the Loktak Christian Model High School in Moirang up to the sixth standard. She then attended St. Xavier Catholic School, Moirang, up to class 8, showing interest in athletics, particularly javelin and 400 meters running.
• Inspired by Dingko Singh’s gold medal win at the 1998 Bangkok Asian Games, Kom decided to pursue boxing. After completing class 8, she moved to Adimjati High School, Imphal, for classes 9 and 10 but did not pass the matriculation exam. Instead of reappearing for the exam, she left school and completed her education through the National Institute of Open Schooling (NIOS), Imphal. She graduated from Churachandpur College.

In Media and Popular Culture

Autobiography:

• Mary Kom’s autobiography, titled Unbreakable, was co-authored by Dina Serto and published by HarperCollins in late 2013.
• An excerpt from this biography has been included as a prose lesson in the Samacheer Kalvi English textbook for 11th standard.

Biographical Film:

• Priyanka Chopra portrayed Mary Kom in a 2014 Hindi language biographical film about her life.
• Directed by Omung Kumar, the movie Mary Kom was released on 5 September 2014.

Children’s Book:

• Mary Kom is featured in The Good Night Stories for Rebel Girls, a children’s book that showcases short stories about female role models.
• The book includes an entry on Mary Kom, inspiring children with her story.

Documentary:

• Mary Kom is also featured in the 2016 documentary With This Ring.
• The documentary follows the experiences of India’s women’s boxing team from 2006 to 2012, providing insights into their journey.

Animal Rights Activism

• Mary Kom is an animal rights activist and a staunch supporter of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) India.
• She starred in an advertisement campaign by PETA India, advocating for an end to the use of elephants in circuses. Kom emphasized the cruelty faced by animals in circuses, expressing empathy as a mother and condemning the separation of animals from their offspring for performances.

Humane Education Campaign

• Kom has endorsed PETA India’s humane education campaign, Compassionate Citizen.
• She wrote a letter to the education ministers of various states and union territories in India, urging them to incorporate the programme into official school curriculums. Kom highlighted the importance of teaching compassion to young people as a means to combat cruelty towards animals.
• In an interview with the Times of India, Kom emphasized the significance of instilling values of respect and kindness in classrooms, particularly in a world where violence is prevalent.

Sponsorships and Endorsements

• Mary Kom, widely recognized as one of the best boxers ever, meticulously explains every point to her sponsors before agreeing to be the face of their products.
• She represents several prominent brands and foundations, including:
  1. Nestle’s dry milk powder ‘Everyday’
  2. Healthcare brand Herbal Life
  3. Telecom provider BSNL
• Kom’s association with these brands underscores her influence and credibility in endorsing products across various industries.

Unknown Facts about Mary Kom

• In 2012, Mary Kom made history as the only woman boxer from India to qualify for the Olympics, securing a bronze medal.
• She holds the distinction of being the sole woman boxer to medal in each of the six world championships, earning her the title of a five-time ‘World Amateur Boxing Champion’.
• Mary Kom achieved a remarkable ranking of No. 4 in the AIBA World Women’s Ranking Flyweight category.
• Recognizing her outstanding contributions, she has been honored with India’s third-highest civilian award, the ‘Padma Bhushan’, in addition to receiving the ‘Arjuna Award’ and the ‘Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna’.
• Beyond her boxing prowess, Mary Kom has ventured into ad campaigns and is known for her love for pets.
• Mary Kom’s talents extend beyond the boxing ring; she possesses a melodious voice and gained widespread attention on social media in 2018 when she sang Lata Mangeshkar’s popular song “Ajeeb Dastan Hai Ye”.

Mary Kom’s Controversies

1. Dispute Over Statue Appearance:

• Mary Kom’s husband, Onler Karong, stirred controversy by expressing dissatisfaction over the appearance of a statue erected in her honor at a park near Imphal.
• The statue was one of nineteen statues of Manipur’s Olympians installed at the Manipur Olympic Park.
• The incident sparked debate and drew attention to the aesthetic aspects of the statues, raising questions about their portrayal.

2. Mary Kom-Nikhat Zareen Saga:

• Mary Kom’s victory over Nikhat Zareen in the final trial match for the Olympic qualifiers in China ended a prolonged controversy that had gripped the Indian boxing scene for six months.
• The dispute arose when Nikhat Zareen demanded a trial ahead of the World Championships, leading to a heated debate about selection procedures.
• Mary Kom’s triumph in the trials brought closure to the ongoing conflict, highlighting the challenges and controversies surrounding athlete selection in Indian sports.

Mary Kom: A Remarkable Journey of Success

Mary Kom’s biography is a testament to the indomitable spirit and extraordinary achievements of a woman who transcended barriers to reach the pinnacle of success in the world of boxing. From humble beginnings in rural Manipur to becoming a global icon in sports, Mary Kom’s journey is an inspiration to millions. Her relentless dedication, unmatched determination, and unwavering passion for boxing have not only earned her numerous accolades but have also paved the way for future generations of athletes. Mary Kom’s story exemplifies resilience, perseverance, and the power of dreams, proving that with hard work and perseverance, anything is possible. She stands as a shining example of a successful woman who has left an indelible mark on the world of sports and beyond.

Mary Kom – Presence and Activity on Social Media.

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Frequently Asked Questions

References/Sources

1. wikipedia.org
2. thequint
3. thehindu