Magnificent Mary named Sportswoman of the Decade

NEW DELHI: Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom was named Sportswoman of the Decade (Individual Olympic Sports) at the 2021 Sportstar Aces Awards for her remarkable accomplishments in women's boxing which include an Olympic medal.

“I am happy to have received this award and to have won it. I'd like to express my gratitude to the jury members as well as anyone who helped me win this honour. In the future, I want to achieve more success in tournaments. This award has given me a lot of inspiration, and I'm hoping to win a gold medal for India in the upcoming Olympics,” said Mary Kom.

ALSO READ: Bihar farmer grows world’s costliest vegetable that costs Rs 1 lakh/kg

“I've been fighting for almost 20 years. It is not an easy task to fight for so long as a woman, a child, or a mother, and I challenge each and every member of the sports fraternity to contribute as much as you can to the country and this is my wish for all of you,” she added.

Mary Kom won a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, after winning bronze at the 2010 Asian Games in Guangzhou, China. When she earned her fifth gold medal at the 2017 Asian Championships, the Manipur pugilist who was awarded the Padma Vibhushan, India's second-highest civilian decoration, became the first boxer to win five gold medals at the Asian Championships.

With eight medals (six gold, one silver and one bronze), ‘Magnificent' Mary is the most decorated boxer in World Championships history. Her crowning glory came at the 2012 London Olympics, where she won bronze in the 51kg division. The legendary boxer, on the other hand, is guided by the pursuit of an elusive Olympic gold.

The giants of the decade in Indian sport were honoured at the Sportstar Aces Awards in 2021, with the winners being judged on their results and consistency from 2011 to 2020.

Eleven awards were given out in the common choice category, which was open to public voting, as well as 14 jury awards and special appreciation awards in two new categories – Sports for Good and Giants off the Field – that recognise the work of organisations and individuals that have used sports to improve society.

Follow us on Facebook