Leading ladies of Indian boxing weren't on talking terms for four years; Both assured of medals after entering semis
MC Mary Kom is a toughie. And she deals in straight punches. Sunday was different. She was up against China's Si Haijuan, who earned a place in the Asian Games contingent after beating the world champion in the national trials back home.
Kom was hellbent on overcoming Haijuan. She hardly let her defence loose and made some calculated advance towards her much younger opponent. The first two rounds belonged to her. Even though she lost the third one by a wafer-thin margin, it didn't affect her confidence. And when she finally emerged victor — 3-1 on aggregate — she was huffing and puffing like a teenager. She excused herself from the 'mixed zone' and requested the Indian media contingent to meet her outside the arena.
As she cooled down, her long-time coach, Angom Lenin Meitei, huffed and puffed his way into the arena. Just then, another top Indian boxer, L Sarita Devi, was getting ready for her bout.
It was some sight. Like a kid let loose in a candy store, Kom ran towards Meitei and hugged him. So did Devi. It turned out to be an emotional affair as Kom burst into tears and let her guard down to embrace "bitter foe" Devi.
The three exchanged pleasantries in Manipuri. But the five-time world champion was uncontrollable. Devi, who was understandably looking forward to her bout, controlled her emotions.
Kom and Devi hadn't been on talking terms for more than four years. The reason is simple: they belonged to the same weight category (51 kg). And there's just one spot up for grabs. Both charged each other of "cheating" during the Asian Games trials in 2010. And when Kom was selected, all hell broke loose. They duo refused to even acknowledge each other's presence.
So what prompted them to bury the hatchet? On May 23 this year, Kom was desperately looking for a shoulder to cry on. Losing to Pinki Jhangra in the Commonwealth Games trials meant she wouldn't be on the plane to Glasgow. It was a tad harsh. After becoming the first Indian women boxer to win an Olympic medal (London 2012), Kom was become a household name and the subject of a biopic. And here she was — sobbing and wondering what the future held.
"She locked herself up in a room and cried. She wanted to shout that it was a conspiracy. But there was no one to hear her out," Meitei told dna. For the first time in many years, Kom felt lonely and cornered.
The 'dark' days brought her close to her old mates. "She found solace in her friends. She was convinced she had been been cheated by a section of boxing fraternity. This was the beginning of the end of the tussle between Kom and Devi," Meitei added.
dna has learnt that it took the ladies a while to shake hands again. "It's been less than three weeks," a source said. "There are no ego clashes now. They take part in separate weight categories. Both are on the verge of retirement."
With Meitei around, this bonding is going to get even stronger in the coming days. Both boxers had requested the Sports Authority of India to send Meitei to Incheon. With Devi also making the semifinals in style, Indian boxing fans are waiting for two 'big' medals from these old friends.
shekhar.luthra@dnaindia.net
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