By -Dhruvan Sharma
Boxing legend Mary Kom has inspired generation of boxers but young Tingmila’s story is little different! Mary not only inspired her but also mentors her as she is one of the brightest prospect from the Mary Kom Boxing Academy in Manipur.
Coming from a background with no money, no food, no shoes and parent’s lack of interest in sports are only the beginning of the many obstacles that dragged Tingmila miles away from pursuing a life of an athlete. It all though changed as she saw the biopic on the Olympic Medalist; she turned the tide despite all the challenges and hardships as she decided to go ahead and fulfill her dream of becoming a boxer.
While she took up boxing, it was a matter of time when the scouters from Mary Kom academy spotted her and took her under their wraps. Since then Tingmila dreams about only one thing, “to play for India and win medals.”
While talking about Mary Kom’s contribution to her growth, she says,” I had nothing to start with but I got everything at the academy. There were times when I didn’t even have money to go for the tournaments but Mary ma’am looked after all of it. I come from a poor family and I want to do well in boxing so that parents don’t have to struggle anymore and I can take care of them.”
She finished with a gold in the same light weight category as her idol, at the 13th Silesian Boxing Championship in Poland. Though, Tingmila had already established her credentials prior to that too, when she had won silver medal at both National Inter School competition and Khelo India Games.
While in Poland, the teenage boxer had the opportunity to fight her final bought while her idol, the boxing legend watched and guided her from the sideline. Reminiscing her experiences, she said, “It was dream come true to play infront of her. I was very nervous in the beginning but she calmed me down and guided me home,” while Mary’s pupil won the yellow metal with ease just like her guru, who also won Gold in Poland.
The fourteen year old has already set the bar high and she wouldn’t settle for anything less than an Olympic Medal like her idol, as she marches on in her mission.
