Mary Kom needs to feel superior

KOLKATA: Brigadier PK Muralidharan Raja, secretary-general, Indian Boxing Federation, speaks about the boxer's fight to the podium in the London Olympics.
There's always a slip between the cup and the lip. Can Briton Nicola Adams come in the way of India's gold hunt?
Nicola is a local hero. She beat Mary 13-11 at the World Championships in May. In a big game like this, what's important is the crowd support and sadly, 75% of the audience will be cheering for Nicola.But a lot of Indians too are expected to be there. We are hoping for the best. But yes, Nicola is an immediate hurdle and Mary needs to defeat her in order to bring home the gold.
How is she working on her strategy?
Mary is endowed with a special capability. She never loses to a competitor more than once. If she has lost once, she makes it a point to beat her opponent in the next game and works on her strategy accordingly. Mary clearly knows how to counterattack. She is extremely clear in her mind about what she wants and that's what makes her different.
Having ensured a bronze medal, did Mary celebrate?
She was jubilant, but stayed away from any kind of celebrations. She is doing her best to concentrate on the game. The semifinal match is crucial and Mary knows it best. She is extremely practical and right now, all she is thinking of is how to beat Nicola. Bronze is there in her kitty, but she is taking one step at a time.
Boxing is also about mental strength...
To dominate in the boxing ring, you need a lot of mental strength. If there's dearth of that, tactics will go in vain. Mary is a five-time world champion and compared to her, Nicola Adams is yet to achieve much. So, at this point in time, Mary needs to feel she is superior. Only if she feels that way, will her game be superior.
Mary has been training with boys taller and heavier than her for the past three years...
Yes, she has been training with men of different heights and weights. She has religiously done that for the past few years and that's what helped her move from the 48kg to the 51kg category.
The boxer must be eyeing the gold...
China's Cancan Ren is a favourite in the Olympics, this year. And like I said, Mary is taking one step at a time. She first needs to beat Nicola to think of winning the gold. That's exactly what she is doing.
Mary missed her sons' fifth birthday. Is she homesick?
She rued missing her sons' birthday the day she crushed Pole Karolina in the debut match and mentioned it to me quite a few times. But she isn't homesick and is concentrating on the game.
Does she know India is cheering at the moment, all thanks to her?
Mary is proud that she has got tremendous support from her countrymen. She wants to live up to the people's expectations. Let's pray for her and keep our fingers crossed.