3.5 Unbeatable Super Mom Mary Kom - Class 10 - Kumarbharati

Aug 9
4 min read

Author: Adapted from interview and biography

Genre: Biographical Sketch / Interview

Textbook: English Kumarbharati – Std X

Board: Maharashtra State Board

Summary

Chungneijang Mary Kom, born on 24 November 1982 in Manipur, is one of India’s most celebrated boxers. Coming from a humble farming background, she balanced studies, farm work, and sports in her early life. Inspired by fellow Manipuri boxer Dingko Singh, she took up boxing in 2000 and quickly rose to prominence by winning the Manipur State Women’s Boxing Championship and later international medals.

Mary Kom is the only woman boxer to have won a medal in all six World Championships and the first Indian woman boxer to win an Olympic medal (bronze, 2012 London Olympics, flyweight category). Known for her determination, she overcame challenges such as limited resources and the absence of her coach at the Olympics. Apart from her sports achievements, she balances her role as a mother, breaking stereotypes about women in sports. She has been honoured with several awards, including the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, and Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna.

Theme / Central Idea

The lesson highlights Mary Kom’s journey of hard work, perseverance, and breaking gender barriers. It inspires readers to believe that dedication and courage can overcome limitations, and that women can excel in all fields, including competitive sports.

Character Sketches

Mary Kom

Born in rural Manipur in a poor farming family
Hardworking, disciplined, and determined
Balanced studies, farm work, and sports during childhood
Inspired by Dingko Singh’s success
Rose to international fame as a six-time World Champion
Humble, respectful, and grounded despite achievements
Proud mother who values family along with career

Word Meanings

Word/Phrase	Meaning
Humble surroundings	Simple and poor conditions
Jhum fields	Shifting cultivation fields
Debut	First public performance
Elation	Great joy
Sparring	Boxing training without heavy blows
Tactical	Planned for strategic advantage
Reinforced	Strengthened
Stereotype	Fixed, oversimplified idea about a group
Conditioning	Training to become fit
Sponsor	Person/organisation supporting financially

Grammar Question

Q1. Identify the infinitive and its function:

She decided to take up boxing.

→ Infinitive: to take up – shows purpose.

Q2. Change to indirect speech:

Mary Kom said, “I am really happy with my achievement.”

→ Mary Kom said that she was really happy with her achievement.

→ Explanation: Changed pronouns and tense for reported speech.

Q3. Identify the modal and its function:

We should support players financially

.→ Modal: should – expresses advice or suggestion.

Q4. Rewrite in past perfect tense:

She won the bronze medal in 2012.

→ She had won the bronze medal in 2012.

→ Explanation: Past perfect shows action completed before another past action.

Q5. Frame a Wh-question:

Mary Kom trained in Pune with male boxers.

→ Where did Mary Kom train with male boxers?

→ Explanation: Asks about place in the sentence.

Personal Response Questions

Q1. What qualities of Mary Kom inspire you the most?

→ Mary Kom’s dedication, discipline, and courage inspire me the most. She proved that gender and background cannot limit talent, and she balanced motherhood with a successful international sports career.

Q2. How did Mary Kom’s early life prepare her for success in sports?

→ Mary Kom’s early life in rural Manipur involved hard physical work, which built her strength and resilience. Balancing farm work, school, and sports taught her discipline and determination.

Q3. What message does Mary Kom’s life give to young sports aspirants?

→ Mary Kom’s life sends the message that with determination, perseverance, and proper support, anyone can achieve excellence in sports regardless of background or obstacles.

True or False

Mary Kom was inspired by the success of Dingko Singh. → True
Mary Kom won a gold medal in the 2012 Olympics. → False
Nutrition was an important part of Mary Kom’s Olympic preparation. → True

Probable Board Questions

Q1. What challenges did Mary Kom face during her Olympic journey?

→ Mary Kom faced challenges such as being the only female boxer from India, not having her coach at the Olympics, and adjusting her weight category. Despite these, she remained confident and won a bronze medal.

Q2. How did Mary Kom balance her family life with her sports career?

→ Mary Kom managed her training and competitions while being a devoted mother to her children. She proved that motherhood and professional sports can go hand in hand.

Q3. What role did OGQ play in Mary Kom’s success?

→ OGQ supported Mary Kom by providing financial and logistical help whenever needed, enabling her to focus entirely on her training and performance.

Q4. Why is Mary Kom referred to as ‘Magnificent Mary’?

→ Mary Kom earned the title for being the only woman to win a medal in all six World Championships and for her historic Olympic achievement.

Reflection Paragraph

Unbeatable Super Mom – Mary Kom is a motivating account of a woman who overcame poverty, gender bias, and limited resources to become a world-class athlete. Her humility, discipline, and fighting spirit make her a role model for all. The lesson reinforces that success is achieved through determination, sacrifice, and the courage to break stereotypes.

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