Source: Hueiyen News Service / Agencies
New Delhi, July 22 2009:
It was a long wait but the queen of world boxing, MC Mary Kom, never lost hope.
The four-time world champion in women's boxing was on Monday overjoyed after getting news of her recommendation for the Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna award.
"It took quite some time coming.
I came close to getting the recommendation a couple of times in the past and I'm happy I have been chosen this time,' the 28-year-old boxer told media.
"Every time they rejected me in the past, I worked even harder," she added, trying hard to conceal her excitement.
Rarely will you see a sportsperson dominating world championships the way Mary has done over the years.
Ever since the championships' inception in 2001, she has won a medal in each of the five editions so far 'a silver in the first meet and four gold medals thereafter.
"This is the reward for my sacrifices.
I have gone through very difficult phases in my career.
Coming back to the sport after the birth of my twin children was very, very difficult.
But thanks to my husband I am here," she said, sounding a little emotional.
Mary Kom, who got the Arjuna award in 2003, took a break from the sport in 2006 but made a triumphant return two years later, winning the world championship in China, which was instrumental in getting her the Khel Ratna panel's nod.