Mary Kom at the Herbalife felicitation at The Oberoi Grand. Picture: Rashbehari Das

Each time you meet Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom, you are filled with a sense of awe. A five-time World Boxing champion, she is an Olympics bronze medal winner, she has just won a gold at the Asian Games, is a mother of three sons (Khupneivar, Rechungvar and Prince Chungthanglen), and at 31, already has a big-ticket Bolly biopic to her name. And yet, who you end up always meeting is not just a boxing supergirl but a girl-next-door who loves her make-up and her heels, who laughs out loud at the world and herself. Yes, Mary from Manipur is as real as they get.

We met her on the sidelines of a sponsor felicitation in Calcutta, our third meeting in person. And, like every time, it’s special. She speaks little, and yet says a lot. She is ending the year on a high, we point out. “This has been a great year for me… the medals,” she smiles.

And then there was the reel Mary Kom... “I knew that the movie would be super. I liked it very much. Priyanka Chopra, super!” she laughs. The Omung Kumar film was an emotional journey for her as she revisited her days of struggle. “I was crying again and again when I saw the film,” says Mary, adjusting her shimmery peep-toes.

The film produced by Sanjay Leela Bhansali has brought her “immense satisfaction” though and also “the hope” that it will inspire youngsters and their parents too. “That was the main aim of director Omung Kumar. He was shocked to hear my story. A five-time world champion but only few people recognise me. He was very upset…. Why are they not trying to know who Mary Kom is? Also, after marriage, no one continues (to play a sport). After watching this film, they might have got a lot of encouragement,” says Mary.

A witty Piscean surfaces when the talk shifts to Priyanka Chopra. “Till the movie released, I didn’t think of myself as a beauty, but after it released, I was like, ‘Oh! I am so beautiful’,” she laughs. Her twins Khupneivar and Rechungvar have seen the film many times and identified with their on-screen avatars too!

From one R to the another — reel to ring. Just on the heels of Mary Kom came her gold at the Asian Games. How does she do it, every time? “It is a passion… boxing is my life. It gives me most happiness and enjoyment,” she says, simply.

We wrap up with Mary the mother. With cases of harassment and molestation on the rise throughout the country, what does she tell her boys as they grow up? “I threaten them… if you don’t respect women, I will beat you up or put you behind bars because I am with the police! They are still young and hopefully in the future, they would understand. I want them to be disciplined,” says Mary.

She also has a suggestion for parents and youngsters — let your child take up a sport. It not only keeps them fit but also makes them confident. The same confidence that has taken Mary from the “jhum fields” of Manipur to a sporting summit.

Saionee Chakraborty

Ripped American Eagle Outfitters denims and black pumps (“Probably my sister’s”!), with a pop mouth — Dipika Pallikal looked every bit squash’s glamour girl at The Oberoi Grand felicitation by Herbalife. Picture: Rashbehari Das

A doubles gold in the Commonwealth Games earlier this year and a team silver along with a bronze in the singles at the Incheon Asian Games in September-October — Dipika

Pallikal is in super form. Off-court too, her personal life has hit the headlines — the squash star from Chennai is engaged to cricketer Dinesh Karthik. The 23-year-old only wants to talk about her professional life, though. “No personal questions please!” is the condition prior to our chat with the world number 16.

Congratulations for a phenomenal year...

I think it’s been a phenomenal year for Indian squash, not only for me. For us to win medals at the Commonwealth Games and Asian Games is an absolute dream. This is the beginning to a lot of good things in Indian squash.

You switched to squash from tennis…

The thing is I did not give myself much time on the tennis court. It was only for a year-and-a-half when I was eight. I was doing it because my sister played and I tagged along with her. After I got over with tennis, I switched to squash and I got hooked. The reason why I am still playing is because I absolutely love the game.

What has squash done to Dipika Pallikal the person?

Squash has made me who I am today. Whatever I have in life or I am going to get in life is because of squash... all the experiences I have gone through, all the travelling I have done because of squash... I have met a lot of people.

Would you be a different person if you hadn’t played a sport?

Definitely! In hindsight, when I was a kid I did not think about anything else other than sports. For me, I grew up that way, thinking I would be into sports. I never wanted to become a doctor or an engineer. I have been lucky to be living the dream and doing what I love doing. My mum (Susan Pallikal) played cricket for India. She captained the Indian cricket team. My grandad played basketball for the country and my maternal grandmom was an athlete. My paternal grandfather was a long jumper and high jumper for the country. We were so into sports that it was always a must that we take up sports. Yes, we did take up dancing and art as a hobby….

Did you have a regular childhood?

No, I didn’t really have a childhood. I left the country for Egypt when I was 13 and returned when I was 18. After three months, I went to England for a year, came back and then I have been in Melbourne for the last three years. I have enjoyed every bit of travelling around the world, making new friends and adapting to the different cultures and countries. That’s been my childhood rather than going to school every day and partying with friends or hanging out every Saturday-Sunday. Packing, unpacking, a lot of flights, a lot of new people… that’s been my childhood.

Did you miss not doing the things most young girls were doing?

I don’t think so. Actually, I am lucky to be doing what I am. At 12, I started travelling the world, which I don’t think any of the normal kids would have done. I was travelling to Paris, Rome and America and doing something that I love.

You are a shero to the young girls of today. Who was an icon for you while growing up?

I have always looked up to my coach Sarah (Fitz-Gerald). She is a five-times world champion and was number one for a very long time. She is an absolute legend of the game and one of my best friends. Hopefully, one day I can be exactly like her. For me, it is not always about being the world champion. It’s more about how you carry yourself on and off court, which really makes you who you are. That’s why a lot of people love (Roger) Federer. He conducts himself so well on and off court.

quick four

Wearing a lot of right now: I’ve played so much squash this last year… so, I have only been in skirts and T-shirts. When I am off-court, it is usually very relaxed like jeans and a regular tee. When I am going out, probably a dress.

Favourite brands: Zara and Forever 21.

Favourite make-up: I don’t step out without eyeliner.

Make-up find of the year: The Giorgio Armani foundation.

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