Mary Kom ‘feeling free’ of stress in self-isolation
The 37-year-old has been in self-quarantine since returning from the Asian boxing qualifiers in Amman and is enjoying quality time with her kids.
The COVID-19 outbreak may have halted all sporting events, leaving most athletes with schedules in disarray.
But within the confines of her home, Indian boxing legend Mary Kom is using the time productively.
“I am chilling, doing my exercises, taking care of my fitness and playing with my children after being away from them for almost one month,” she told the Press Trust of India news agency.
“In my case, I have felt a sense of freedom with this isolation. I have realised that I am not feeling the stress of a daily schedule right now.”
The enforced break has led to more family time, something that an athlete always craves for amid constant travelling and a busy schedule, and Mary Kom was content with it.
“Right now, all I know is that my children are very happy. For 10-15 days, they have got their mom and that too without any interruption,” she shared.
Mary Kom is aware just how grave the situation is.
Before taking part in the Asia Olympic qualifiers in Jordan, Kom was training with the rest of the India squad in Italy.
“I hope everyone follows the health guidelines. It is crucial that everyone does,” she stated. “The precautions that I am taking include not giving appointments to anyone right now.”
Mary Kom also added that she had not planned on how to go about her training and will decide in a couple of weeks whether to train in another country or in India itself.
Second appearance at the Games
The London 2012 bronze-medallist enjoyed a successful outing at the Asian boxing Olympic qualifiers in Amman, Jordan where she qualified for the Tokyo Olympics by virtue of winning her quarter-final bout in the 51kg against Philippines’ Irish Magno.
Though she fell in the semi-finals to Chinese boxer Chang Yuan, thus only able to win a bronze medal at the event, the main target-securing a berth at the Tokyo Olympics- was achieved and she was joined by eight other Indian boxers on the flight, with potentially more to come.