Quotes from Mary Kom

Without boxing, I can't live. I love boxing.

I have a very fit body and have never faced any major injury problems. So yes, the secret to my success is my fit body.

Looking back now, I realise that belonging to the family of a labourer actually helped to prepare my body for boxing. There were many times when my family didn't have enough food or warm clothing to go around. All this made me physically, as well as emotionally, tough.

I'm grateful to the state and central government for all their support for my academy.

I had no support, no opportunity, no sponsors backing me for most of my career.

If I, being a mother of two, can win a medal, so can you all. Take me as an example and don't give up.

You can't walk away from your responsibilities and commitments.

I learned my weaknesses at the Asian Games and other competitions where I lost. My guard was down.

I am blessed with a reasonable athletic talent and was an athlete in school.

My normal weight category is 48 kg. So for the 51 kg. category, I had to depend on lots of food and drinks before going in for the weigh-in. But that does not make my strength, my muscles. It's a little bit different. If there's a 48 kg. category, it's a perfect fit for me.

In the 46-48 kg. category, I know every boxer, and I defeat them whenever I fight them.

In Manipur, mostly the top player's family background is very poor. I also come from a poor family, so we have to do more hard work to get money and a better life.

It's a punishment game... only two boxers get in the ring. So when we get in the ring and we're not angry, then you're not a real boxer.

Winning the 2012 bronze medal was magnificent, but I would love to win a gold medal in the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

I look like I'm Chinese or Thai or Japanese - very different.

I loved playing in the fields back home and racing with my fellow students on the way to school.

My dream is to produce thousand Mary Koms.

Every medal I have won is a story of a difficult struggle.

I started athletics in 1999, throwing discus and shot put. I didn't tell my family when I started boxing.

I can easily get a gold in the 48 kg. category, but 51 kg., it's difficult because other boxers may have a height advantage.

The boys, they are laughing: 'Oh, you are boxing. Very funny.' But I always challenge when people are laughing - 'I'll show you one day.' After getting five times world champion, they are all quiet. And they respect me.

When I started boxing, people laughed at me and said, 'What can women do in boxing?' I took it as a challenge. If men can do it, why can't women? And I became a world champion before my marriage.

I took up boxing out of sheer interest and to help my parents financially.

A gold medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics is what I'm looking for. I have to pace my training in such a way that I'm at my best in Rio, and when I'm in form, no opponent can come in my way.