Mary Kom to train with male boxers for Olympics

New Delhi: MC Mary Kom, India's sole woman boxer at the London Olympics, will train with her male counterparts in Patiala ahead of the summer extravaganza. The five-time world champion had lady luck to thank as she qualified for the Olympics after England's Nicola Adams advanced to the finals of the World Boxing Championships in Qinhuangdao, China.

After Mary Kom lost in the quarterfinals to Nicola on Wednesday, the Indian's Olympic qualification hinged on the latter's progress in the tournament. "I need to improve all my aspects of fighting. I have to workout more and I have to improve mentally. I have seen a lot of videos of my rivals and analysed them a lot. I will be going to Patiala to train with the boys and I think that will improve me further," she told reporters in New Delhi on Monday.

Talking about her loss to the eventual champion, she said, "In this sport you have your ups and downs, it happens. It was the first time I fought a European boxer at the Worlds."

Mary Kom has returned empty-handed from the world event for the first time. "I couldn't come back with a medal but I don't mind that much, it is just a game. At the Olympics, I am confident of beating the English boxers. I have learnt a lot (from the defeat) and now I know their technique," she said.

Mary Kom, who will be appearing at an Olympics for the first time after 51, 60 and 75 kgs weight categories were included in the competition, was confident of a good show in London. "Olympics will not be that tough only as selected boxers will fight there. In the Worlds, there were close to 55 boxers. The championships were very tough because everyone was there for the qualifiers. Even the Chinese 60 and 75 kgs boxer were not able to qualify (for Olympics)," she said.

She said it was a difficult proposition for her to change weight categories. Mary Kom won most of her titles in 48 kg category. "It is a big challenge for me changing weight categories. If I was fighting in the 48 kgs, I would be the champion. I have already defeated the champion from the Philippines thrice so it is easy."

Mary Kom said that winning a medal at the Olympics will bring her fame. "I am a five-time world champion but I am not happy with that, nobody knows me yet. If I win a medal at Olympics, I will become popular, it is difficult for me to get sponsors," an emotional Mary Kom said.