The chink in God's armour

The idea of God has been ever-present in man since inception and so much so has been their obsession with it that upon realizing their inability to attain such omnipotence, humans were found giving legendary statures to mere mortals itself. But eventually, the act of “perfect mould” eventually becomes too much for the humans on pedestals to bear, and they crack.

Like innumerable other stories of sportspersons in India, Kom had to fight extraordinary odds to reach where she is standing today, which demands admiration from one and all. However, beneath all the ornaments, Kom has always been a human whose flesh would age as time passed and so would her abilities. And unlike the “God”, the mortal soul would have limitations like insecurities and greed, which have all seemingly come afloat in the recent controversy that has alleged the 36-year-old of being an accomplice in Boxing Federation of India’s systematic exclusion of Nikhat Zareen. 

“To my utter surprise and disappointment, I was informed by the chairman selection committee, Mr Rajesh Bhandari, that my bout will not happen today and there are some internal discussions happening to ensure I'm protected for future & avoid getting exposed at a young age. I'm really surprised by this action as I have already participated in World Championships in 2016 and if I was fine then, in 2019, I surely cannot be young and this cannot be the reason," Zareen wrote in her letter to the BFI.

While many were praying desperately for Kom not to have anything to do with this, Bhandari’s statement proved that the apprehensions were well-founded. “We received a late representation from Mary Kom's personal coach that she shouldn't fight Nikhat. It was based on Mary's recent performances. Also, she is a legendary figure and her stature can't be challenged. So, there was no need for a trial," said Bhandari in his defence.

Social media has often thrown up a picture quote of “Work hard till your idols become your rivals” with a Harvey Specter image on the background. Zareen has had a similar run. In her bout against Mary Kom in the 51kg category, she had lost 4:1 by split decision. Kom’s win was incomprehensible and despite the loss, the 23-year-old was commended for "putting up a strong fight by using her brain" in that clash.

Not only did it reek of insecurity, but the “legendary stature”, as mentioned by Bhandari, was challenged. The God was bleeding. If taken into the squad for the World Championships, Zareen would have fought Mizoram's Vanduati-Lal before the winner of the match would have faced Kom in the final. Zareen’s allegations haven’t been new for Kom either, for talented Haryana boxer Pinki Jangra, had also had numerous such rifts with the veteran previously.

In the 51kg category, where she would be fighting in the Olympics and World Championships, Kom’s inconsistency also sheds light on her struggles. She has won just three medals in it – two gold in the 2010 and 2014 Asian games, and the London Olympics silver.

However, with the weight category up, putting the maximum weight behind her punches has proved to be difficult and her opponents would also be able to endure more - a fact that has been well pronounced in all these years. This pretty much underlines the fact that she wouldn’t be India’s biggest hope in Tokyo anyway.

“Boxer has to be smart. Boxer has to be strong. But main is will. Main is will,” Kom had said in one of her interviews with The Economist after her silver in London. But, the will, at the end of it all, is just another brain muscle that keeps the body going against most instincts, and, that too, withers with age. The hardest part of being a God of the arena is the realization that at the dusk, he or she won’t be worshipped anymore.