Venkatesan Devarajan: India won’t see another boxer like Mary Kom in the next 100 years
The former India boxer heaped praise on Mary Kom for retaining her enthusiasm for boxing.
Mary Kom is competing in her second Olympics at Tokyo 2020 after her success at London 2012 nine years back where she won the bronze medal.
The 38-year-old could not make the cut for Rio 2016 but managed to qualify for the following edition of Olympics and is among the medal hopefuls for India. In fact, she has dominated the world stage by winning a medal in each of the eight editions of the World Boxing Championships. She also has five gold medals and a silver at the Asian Championships.
In her very first bout, she defeated Dominican Republic's Miguelina Hernandez by a split decision 4-1 to advance into the round of 15 in women's 51kg category.
Venkatesan Devarajan, who is a popular name in the boxing circuit and represented India in the Barcelona 1992 Olympic Games, acknowledged the contribution Mary Kom has made to boxing in India. He went on to state that there is no boxer in the country who would come close to her stature and achievements.
The Chennai-based boxer, who had won a bronze medal at the 1994 edition of the World Boxing Championship, claimed that the child-like enthusiasm which Mary Kom has for boxing has kept her motivated for the last 20 years or so.
“Mary Kom has brought boxing to a different level in India. She is the flagbearer of the Olympics now. There was a time when people would not recognize a World Championship (bronze medallist) like me,” he told Olympics.com.
“I think she has nothing to prove anymore. She has already won everything. But even after qualifying for Tokyo 2020, she was happy like a child. Whatever she wins from here will be a bonus. I do not think there will be any other boxer in India like Mary Kom in the next 100 years.
“In a sport like boxing, working hard for the 20 years is a big deal. I respect her will power and dedication for that,” he mentioned.
When will Mary Kom play next at Tokyo 2020?
Mary Kom has advanced into the round of 16 and will next be in action on July 29 against third-seed Colombian Ingrit Valencia, who won bronze at Rio 2016.