# Mary Kom > Indian amateur boxer **Wikidata**: [Q328951](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q328951) **Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mary_Kom) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/mary-kom ## Summary Mary Kom is an Indian amateur boxer and Olympic medalist who has become a defining figure in women's boxing. She is most notably recognized for winning six world championships and an Olympic bronze medal, making her one of the most decorated female boxers in history. ## Biography - Born: March 1, 1982, in Kangathei, Manipur, India - Nationality: India - Education: Studied at Manipur University and National Institute of Open Schooling - Known for: Winning six world amateur boxing titles and an Olympic bronze medal, and being a trailblazer for women in Indian boxing - Employer(s): Not explicitly employed by any organization; her career has been primarily as a professional athlete - Field(s): Amateur boxing, sports advocacy ## Contributions Mary Kom has made significant contributions to the sport of boxing, particularly in elevating the profile of women's boxing in India. Her achievements include: - Six-time World Amateur Boxing champion (2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2018) - Bronze medalist at the 2012 London Olympics - Recipient of the Padma Bhushan (2013), Padma Vibhushan (2023), and the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2013) - Advocate for women in sports and youth empowerment ## FAQs ### What are Mary Kom's major achievements in boxing? Mary Kom is a six-time world champion in amateur boxing and won a bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics. She is also a five-time Arjuna Award recipient and has been honored with India's highest sporting honor, the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award. ### What educational background does Mary Kom have? She studied at Manipur University and completed her education through the National Institute of Open Schooling. ### What awards has Mary Kom received? Mary Kom has been honored with several prestigious awards including: - Arjuna Award (2003) - Padma Shri (2013) - Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award (2013) - Padma Bhushan (2013) - Padma Vibhushan (2023) ### What is Mary Kom known for outside of boxing? Beyond her boxing career, Mary Kom is known for her advocacy for women in sports and her role in inspiring countless young athletes in India. She has also been involved in politics and public service. ## Why They Matter Mary Kom's impact on Indian sports is profound. As one of the first women to bring international acclaim to Indian boxing, she has inspired a generation of female athletes in India. Her perseverance and success have made her a symbol of empowerment for women in sports, especially in a country where female participation in athletics has historically been limited. Her influence extends beyond the ring, as she has used her platform to advocate for gender equality and youth development in sports. ## Notable For - First woman to win a World Amateur Boxing Championship (2001) - Only woman to have won eight World Championship medals - Only Indian woman boxer to have qualified for the London Olympics in 2012, where she won a bronze medal - Recipient of the Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan, three of India's highest civilian honors - Recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award, India's highest sporting honor - Five-time Arjuna Award winner - Role model for women in Indian sports - Competed and won across multiple weight categories, demonstrating versatility and longevity in the sport ## Body ### Early Life and Education Mary Kom, born on March 1, 1982, in Kangathei, Manipur, is the daughter of a tribal wrestling champion. Her early life was rooted in sports, with boxing becoming her passion and profession. She pursued her education at Manipur University and later completed her studies through the National Institute of Open Schooling. ### Career Mary Kom's boxing career began in the late 1990s, and she quickly rose to prominence by winning her first World Championship in 2001. She went on to win six world titles in total, establishing herself as a dominant force in amateur boxing. In 2012, she became the first Indian woman boxer to qualify for the London Olympics, where she won a bronze medal, a historic achievement for Indian women in sports. ### Achievements and Recognition Mary Kom's list of achievements includes: - 2001: First World Championship title - 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2009, 2018: Additional World Championship titles - 2012: Olympic bronze medal in London - 2013: First recipient of the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award - 2013: Padma Shri and Padma Bhushan recipient - 2023: Padma Vibhushan recipient ### Public Life and Advocacy Mary Kom has been a vocal advocate for women's participation in sports and has worked to inspire and mentor young athletes. She has also been involved in public service and politics, serving as a Member of the Legislative Assembly (MLA) in Manipur. ### Legacy Mary Kom's legacy is not just in her medals but in her role as a pioneer for women in Indian sports. She has broken barriers and created pathways for future generations of female athletes in India. Her story is a testament to the power of determination, resilience, and the unyielding spirit of a champion who rose from a small village in Manipur to become a global icon in sports. ## References 1. [Source](http://164.100.47.5/Newmembers/memberlist.aspx) 2. BoxRec 3. [Source](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/guwahati/Mary-Kom-gets-Padma-Bhushan/articleshow/18189452.cms) 4. [Source](https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/sports/boxing/Mary-Kom-feels-honoured-to-get-Rajiv-Gandhi-Khel-Ratna-Award/articleshow/4945721.cms) 5. [Source](https://pib.gov.in/newsite/PrintRelease.aspx?relid=197647) 6. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013 7. Mary Kom. Olympedia 8. Google Knowledge Graph 9. Quora 10. YouTube API