<p>India’s most successful woman boxer MC Mary Kom is spewing fire even though it is celebration time for her after clinching her maiden gold medal since jumping a division in the Asian Championships in Mongolia.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“In the past one year, a lot of comments have been made about me. Some said I was past my prime, that I am denying other more deserving boxers (notably multiple-time Asian champion L Sarita Devi) their chance but I am glad that I have been able to prove myself,” Mary Kom said after coming back to the country on Tuesday.<br /><br />This was the five-time world champion’s first gold since leaving pin-weight (46kg) for 51kg, which is an Olympic category for the upcoming London Games.<br /><br />Elated she might be, but the mother of two was a touch upset as well because of the criticism she had faced after managing just a bronze in the 2010 Asian Games -- her maiden appearance in the new division.<br /><br />“I had a point to prove to my critics. Lot of people said that I will not have the strength to do well, it would be difficult for me to adjust. No doubt it was, but it wasn’t impossible, and I just proved that,” Mary Kom, who extracted revenge on her Asian Games nemesis -- Ren Cancan of China, said.<br /><br />The 29-year-old, who has won Asian Championships gold thrice before in the pin-weight division, said she went into the event a smarter boxer after working hard on her defence in the past one year.<br /><br />“I played very smart and clever. I had worked hard on my defence, besides I think my movement has also improved. And for all those who were doubting my credential since shifting my category, I can say that I am very comfortable in this division,” she asserted.<br />“I have sorted out my weaknesses,” she declared. <br /><br />Asked what was the difference in fighting Cancan this time, Mary Kom said, “I think she was a bit intimidated by me. My technique was better and I guess, I managed to out-think her.”<br /><br />Mary Kom had a tough time after shifting her weight category as Devi, who incidentally also won a gold in Mongolia competing in the 60kg division, had staked her claim to the 51kg division since she was already competing in it prior to the Guangzhou Games.<br /><br />Things became ugly when Sarita claimed Mary Kom had been unfairly selected and even threatened to return her Arjuna award.<br /><br />“That was a phase which left me very upset. She has also jumped a division now but no one questioned her. But I was asked questions all the time about my decision, that hurt a lot,” she said.<br /><br />“But that is past now and now I can say, this new division is no big deal for me,” she said.</p>
<p>India’s most successful woman boxer MC Mary Kom is spewing fire even though it is celebration time for her after clinching her maiden gold medal since jumping a division in the Asian Championships in Mongolia.<br /><br /></p>.<p>“In the past one year, a lot of comments have been made about me. Some said I was past my prime, that I am denying other more deserving boxers (notably multiple-time Asian champion L Sarita Devi) their chance but I am glad that I have been able to prove myself,” Mary Kom said after coming back to the country on Tuesday.<br /><br />This was the five-time world champion’s first gold since leaving pin-weight (46kg) for 51kg, which is an Olympic category for the upcoming London Games.<br /><br />Elated she might be, but the mother of two was a touch upset as well because of the criticism she had faced after managing just a bronze in the 2010 Asian Games -- her maiden appearance in the new division.<br /><br />“I had a point to prove to my critics. Lot of people said that I will not have the strength to do well, it would be difficult for me to adjust. No doubt it was, but it wasn’t impossible, and I just proved that,” Mary Kom, who extracted revenge on her Asian Games nemesis -- Ren Cancan of China, said.<br /><br />The 29-year-old, who has won Asian Championships gold thrice before in the pin-weight division, said she went into the event a smarter boxer after working hard on her defence in the past one year.<br /><br />“I played very smart and clever. I had worked hard on my defence, besides I think my movement has also improved. And for all those who were doubting my credential since shifting my category, I can say that I am very comfortable in this division,” she asserted.<br />“I have sorted out my weaknesses,” she declared. <br /><br />Asked what was the difference in fighting Cancan this time, Mary Kom said, “I think she was a bit intimidated by me. My technique was better and I guess, I managed to out-think her.”<br /><br />Mary Kom had a tough time after shifting her weight category as Devi, who incidentally also won a gold in Mongolia competing in the 60kg division, had staked her claim to the 51kg division since she was already competing in it prior to the Guangzhou Games.<br /><br />Things became ugly when Sarita claimed Mary Kom had been unfairly selected and even threatened to return her Arjuna award.<br /><br />“That was a phase which left me very upset. She has also jumped a division now but no one questioned her. But I was asked questions all the time about my decision, that hurt a lot,” she said.<br /><br />“But that is past now and now I can say, this new division is no big deal for me,” she said.</p>