Imphal: Ace boxer from Manipur and Olympics bronze medalist MC Mary Kom had many moments of sporting glory in her life. A mother of three, the five-time boxing champion is used to staying in the limelight because of her inspiring success story on which a film has also been made.
But the icing on the cake came on Tuesday when US President Barak Obama mentioned her name, along with a few other athletes, during his address in New Delhi.
During his speech at Siri Fort auditorium in Delhi on the last day of his three-day India visit, the US President said, "Indians and Americans are some of the hardest working people on earth. People like Shah Rukh Khan, Milkha Singh and Mary Kom inspire people."
"She (Mary) is known by the US president. This is really a big honour and pride for the whole nation and Manipur in particular," said Mary's private secretary Jimmy Leivon. He added that he has received congratulatory calls from many people, including those from Mary's native village, Kangthei, in the remote Churachandpur district.
When contacted, Mary said she felt proud after being acknowledged by Obama.
Minutes after the US President mentioned Mary's name, Imphal denizens began sharing the great news with their friends and relatives and many youngsters were seen shouting 'Mary the great'. "Mary has made us proud and we wish her success at the Rio Olympics and other competitions," said Abungo Sharma, an Imphal resident.
Nicknamed 'Magnificent Mary', the boxer is currently staying in Delhi with her husband Onler.
Mary is among the nine personalities in the country to be invited by Prime Minister Narendra Modi for rolling on the "Swachh Bharat Abhiyan" (SBA) or "Clean India Mission". Mary and her boxing academy students cleaned a portion of Imphal city on October 24 last year.