Mary Kom training in Pune
Boxer is preparing for Olympics with senior trainer Charles Atkinson .
If London Olympics are board exams, then the pre-board preparation has started for boxer Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom.
Mary Kom has began her training at Shiv Chhatrapati Sports Complex in Balewadi with veteran trainer Charles Atkinson, as the Sports Authority of India has sanctioned a sum of Rs10 lakh for the boxer’s individual preparation.
Mary Kom will train with Atkinson for a month (Feb15 to March 15) in Pune to prepare for the Asian Championship in March and later, for the World Championship in May.
“I have started my training here and it has been good so far. My aim is to do well at the Asian Championship and then at the World Championship, as there I will get a chance to qualify for London, which is the ultimate goal,” Mary Kom told DNA.
The five-time world champion said she is focussing on overall training, but improving her guard will be the priority. “I am working on my guard, which has been my weakness. But apart from that, I feel an all-round training is what I will be needing before the Games,” she said.
Atkinson said Mary Kom is doing fine and has been working hard. When asked about her chances in London, Atkinson said, “Olympics are like lotteries. You need to prepare yourself very well, as at that level, you cannot take anything for granted,” he said.