For 14-year-old Tingmila Doungel, boxing legend M.C. Mary Kom has come to mean much more than a distant inspiration.

Magnificent Mary mentors her at the Mary Kom Boxing Academy in Manipur, as the five-time world champion has glimpsed the potential in the teenager to be her successor in Indian boxing.

“Tingmila’s biggest assets are her determination and extreme grit. She has shown great improvement in just a year’s time, which is commendable. Though she comes from a very humble background just like me and barely has any match exposure, she did well to win a gold in Poland and I was there to see her perform,” said Mary Kom. “She needs to work more on her techniques but this is just the beginning for the young boxer. If she works hard and keeps her focus intact she will soon be a boxer of repute,” said Mary Kom.

Coming from an underprivileged family at Ngambeiphai in Churachandpur district and her parents’ lack of interest in sports were just two of the many obstacles that dragged Tingmila miles away from pursuing a dream in athletics.

However, it all changed when she saw the biopic on the Olympic medallist. She managed to turn the tide despite all challenges and hardships as she decided to go ahead and fulfil her dream of becoming a boxer.

While she took up boxing, it was a matter of time before the scouters from Mary Kom Academy spotted her and took her under their wings. Tingmila now only dreams of “playing for India and winning medals”.

Talking about Mary Kom’s contribution to her growth, she said: “I had nothing to start with but I got everything at the academy. There were times when I didn’t even have money to go for the tournaments but Mary ma’am looked after all of it. I come from a poor family and I want to do well in boxing so that my parents don’t have to struggle anymore and I can take care of them.”

Tingmila bagged a gold in the same lightweight category as her idol, at the 13th Silesian Boxing Championship in Poland last month. She had already established her credentials by winning a silver each in the national inter-school competition and Khelo India Games.

In Poland, the teenaged boxer had the opportunity to fight her final bout with her idol Mary Kom in the audience.

Reminiscing about her experiences, she said: “It was dream come true to play in front of her. I was very nervous in the beginning but she calmed me down and guided me home.”

Tingmila won the yellow metal with ease in the 48kg event just like her guru, who also won a gold at the same meet.