I am living example of 'nothing is impossible,' asserts Mary Kom
Source: The Sangai Express / Ninglun Hanghal

New Delhi, September 21 2010: The red carpet was rolled out to receive world boxing champion MC Mary Kom who returned to the capital today, after notching up her fifth championship title on the trot.

Herbalife, Indian Boxing Federation, the Infinity Optimal Solutions Pvt Ltd held a felicitation function to honour her achievements at Hotel Park in New Delhi today afternoon on her return from the just concluded Women's World Boxing Championship in Bridgetown.

Addressing the media, Mary Kom thanked the IBF, IOS, Herbalife and Manipur Government.

She said "My aim in the near future is to win the 2012, London Olympic" .

Calling her " Magnificent Mary" Col PKM Raja, Secretary General of the Indian Boxing Federation, said he is confident Mary will win the 2012 Olympic gold.

Mary Kom soaks in the adulations before addressing the media

Mary was awarded Rs 1 lakh and 2 lakhs by the Boxing Federation and Herbalife respectively.

On the question of the non-inclusion of women boxing championship in the Common Wealth Games 2010, the world champion said, "It hurts me a lot, we were trying whatever possible to ensure its inclusion.

It would have been very good to have the women boxing championship in the CWG � Delhi".

Chipping in, IBF secretary, Col PKM Raja said "it is unfortunate, but the women boxing championship will be included only in the next CWG".

Mary also informed the media that it had been a hard journey especially after she became a mother with family members and well wishers advising her to give up boxing.

"It was due to the encouragement from my husband that I could return to the ring in a positive frame of mind," said the diminutive boxer.

Conveying her message to the youth, women of Manipur and the country at large, she said, "I am an example of "nothing is impossible".

She further said that seeing her, many of her seniors had returned to sports after marriage.

She said "people learn from me".

On her future after 2012, Mary told the media that she plans to retire and informed about her desire to be a coach.

IBF secretary Col Raja added " to find a successor will take a long time".

Mary will be undergoing trial selection tomorrow in the capital for the upcoming Asian Games to be held in Guangzhou, China in November.

She is also working toward weight increase from 48 kg in the world Championship for the coming Asian games that requires 51 kg.

Speaking to The Sangai Express , Ajay Khanna, Country Head, Herbalife India, on choosing Mary Kom as their brand Ambassador said " It is the image � of 5 consecutive championship".

Dismissing that it has anything to do with Mary's background or from where she comes from, he noted "Women and Boxing is very admirable".

Mary Kom is on a one year contract with Herbalife.

Earlier in the morning the Kom Rem students in Delhi received Mary Kom at the airport on her arrival to congratulate and welcome her.