When I started boxing, people laughed at me and said, 'What can women do in boxing?' I took it as a challenge. If men can do it, why can't women? And I became a world champion before my marriage.
Mary KomRead
Looking back now, I realise that belonging to the family of a labourer actually helped to prepare my body for boxing. There were many times when my family didn't have enough food or warm clothing to go around. All this made me physically, as well as emotionally, tough.
Interpretation
Mary Kom reflects on how her challenging upbringing shaped her resilience and toughness for boxing.
In this quote, Mary Kom shares her realization that her humble beginnings as a labourer's child contributed to her physical and emotional strength, essential for her success in boxing. The struggles she faced, including food scarcity and inadequate clothing, forged a toughness that not only physically prepared her for the challenges of the sport but also fortified her spirit to overcome adversity in life.
In practice
This quote can inspire young athletes facing difficulties in their lives.
When I started boxing, people laughed at me and said, 'What can women do in boxing?' I took it as a challenge. If men can do it, why can't women? And I became a world champion before my marriage.
If I, being a mother of two, can win a medal, so can you all. Take me as an example and don`t give up.
Bring on your tear gas, bring on your grenades, your new supplies of Mace, your state troopers and even your national guards. But let the record show we ain't going to be turned around.
That was the tragedy. Not that one man had the courage to be evil. But that millions had not the courage to be good.
Don't condemn me, remember rather that sometimes I, too, can reach the bursting point.
I'm holding onto the hope that there is some reason that I got cancer and there is something - that may not be very clear to me right now - but that I will do.
Tonight, I ask for your prayers for all those who grieve, for the children whose worlds have been shattered, for all whose sense of safety and security has been threatened. And I pray they will be comforted by a power greater than any of us, spoken through the ages in Psalm 23: "Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I fear no evil, for You are with me."
Whatever your struggle, my brothers and sisters-mental or emotional or physical or otherwise-do not vote against the preciousness of life by ending it!
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