Suranjoy should aim for Olympic gold: Mary Kom

Four-time world champion Mary Kom praised fellow-Manipuri Suranjoy Singh’s gold medal win at the President’s Cup, hoping it would spur him on to win an Olympic gold. Suranjoy, fighting for Asia 1 in the inter-continental event, won all three of his bouts to win the gold and also the ‘Best Boxer’ title at the event.

“It’s an excellent achievement, I congratulate him,” Mary Kom told DNA over phone from New Delhi. “I’ve known him for many years and I’ve trained with him. He’s a very hardworking lad. I hope he will go on to win the gold at the Olympics.”

Mary Kom believes that with such performances, boxers in Manipur would set their sights on excelling internationally. “People in Manipur especially will get inspired,” she said.

“I know I have inspired many. This achievement is likely to inspire many more boxers in Manipur. The state is becoming a powerhouse in Indian badminton, both in the men’s and women’s sections. Unfortunately, Manipur’s achievements haven’t received much publicity, unlike Haryana. We’re all fighting for the country, not just for the state. I hope private sponsors will get interested in him.”