Mary Kom believes her dream of Olympic gold is still alive

Women’s boxing had just been introduced at the quadrennial sports spectacle for the first time in 2012 where the 51-kg category was included. Participating in the Games, MC Mary Kom had to move out of her favoured 48-kg category, where had won her five world titles, that she had later admitted was a difficult thing to do.  

However, now with the International Boxing Association (IABA) mulling over the prospect of including the 48-kg category at next year's Asian Games and probably even the 2020 Olympics, Mary Kom has reasons to dream again.

"I still have not won an Olympic gold. That is my ultimate target. I am working very hard with the 2020 Olympics in mind. I am trying my best. The rest is up to God," said the Manipur icon to IANS.

"As long as I am alive, winning gold at the Olympics will always be my greatest dream. That will remain a target till the end of my career."

Many had thought that her career was over after she was denied a wildcard entry at the Rio Olympics. But, the champion boxer added another feather to her hat earlier this year by winning gold at the Asian Women's Boxing Championship, which was her fifth title at the continental level. 

India have recently won five gold and two bronze medals at the AIBA Women's Youth World Championships and Mary Kom believes that changing societal attitude towards women athlete has been the key.

“Social attitudes towards female participation in sports are changing slowly. Earlier girls from the north, especially Haryana and even those from the south, used to face a lot problems from their families while taking up boxing. This is true even now to some extent. But attitudes have changed," said Mary Kom.