Boxer Mary Kom is at the Asian Games because of her enterprising husband, Karung Onler, who looks after their twins back home

Boxer Mary Kom believes her husband is the reason for her success

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Boxer Mary Kom believes her husband is the reason for her success

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Boxer Mary Kom is at the Asian Games because of her enterprising husband, Karung Onler, who looks after their twins back home

It is said that behind every successful man there is a woman. However, in the case of India's five-time World Champion boxer MC Mary Kom, the opposite is true. She believes her husband, Karung Onler, is the reason for her astounding success in the world of sport.

Mary is the mother of three-year-old twins, Rengpa and Naidong, and given her boxing commitments, spends most of her time away from home. However this would never have been possible if not for Onler.

"Throughout the year, except maybe for a couple of months or so in the off season, I am either away at training camps or fighting it out at national or international competitions. Had it not been for Onler's undying support, there is no way I could have continued boxing.

"Today I'm here only because of him. He has proved to the world that a female athlete need not give up her profession after marriage," the 27-year-old pugilist told MiD DAY at the Athletes Village here yesterday.u00a0

Looking pretty and almost unrecognisable in a purple sari and golden blouse - a stark contrast from her otherwise tracksuit attire - as she arrived with the Indian contingent for the traditional flag raising ceremony at the Games Village, Mary confessed that the toughest part of her career is not the hard body blows she takes, but rather the time she has to spend away from her boys. "For any mother it is tough being away from her children and I'm no different. My boys are adorable and I love being around them, but then even my national commitments are important," added the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna awardee.u00a0u00a0

Thankfully, for Mary, her better half not only helps in the kitchen but is great with the kids too. "I rarely find time to cook at home because whenever I'm home, I want to spend that time with the kids. Onler is a great help in the kitchen too and cooks sometimes. And being a former footballer, he is great with the boys and plays a lot with them too. Mera pati ghar main sab kuch karta hai, main nahi. Mujhe bus boxing main India ke liye medal jeetna hai," she said.

The Deputy Superintendent of Manipur Police is a strong contender to win the gold in the women's boxing event that will be making its debut at the Asian Games here. However, it's not going to be all that simple, she warned.

"I began fighting in the 46 Kg category (where she won four world championship titles in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008) and won my last world title in the 48 Kg (2010). However, at the Asian Games, I will be fighting in the 51 Kg category, so it's a different ball game altogether.

"It's always difficult to put on weight and then of course the competition is bound to be different given it's a new category and there will be unknown opponents. However, I would like to assure my countrymen that I will use all my experience to win the gold," she signed off.