Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Indian trail-blazer Kom finally bags Commonwealth gold

Indian boxing star Mary Kom opened up on the heartache she faced returning to competition after having children as she captured her first Commonwealth Games title on Saturday at the age of 35.

Mother-of-three Kom, the subject of a Bollywood film in 2014, won a unanimous points decision over Northern Ireland's Kristina O'Hara in their light-flyweight final on Australia's Gold Coast.


It is Kom's first Commonwealth medal of any colour and burnishes a heaving trophy cabinet that already includes an Olympic bronze from London 2012 and five amateur world championship titles.

The trail-blazer, known in India as "Magnificent Mary", celebrated with a victory parade on her coach's shoulders and she had tears in her eyes afterwards.

Kom, devastated not to gain a wildcard for the 2016 Rio Olympics, gave mixed signals about whether she would now target the Tokyo 2020 Games and a first Olympic gold.

"That is difficult to say, but I will try," said Kom, who is already older than most of her opponents.

Part of the problem is that at the Olympics there is no light-flyweight category, meaning Kom would have to step up to flyweight, which would mean fighting bigger and stronger opponents.

"If I am still super-fit in another year I will try," she added of another tilt at a maiden Olympic gold.

"If I am not enough fit, maybe I will retire."

Kom, who went from a poor village life to sports stardom and celebrity, has three sons -- twin boys aged 10 and another of five.

They are not boxing fans.

"It's very hard," said Kom, reflecting on returning to the boxing ring after the birth of her youngest child.

"My husband and parents are very supportive, but if I wasn't strong that would not be possible.

"I'm still strong from here and here," said Kom, pointing to her heart and her head.

Several sportswomen have returned to competition at these Commonwealth Games following the high-profile case of tennis star Serena Williams.

Double Olympic shot put champion Valerie Adams gave birth last October and won silver on Friday, while Vanuatu beach volleyball player Miller Pata won bronze in front of her seven-month-old toddler, Tommy.

Kom, who has spoken repeatedly at the Games in Australia about the problems facing women and girls in India, said being away for long periods for competition and to train was challenging emotionally.

"Willpower, mentally strong," she said, asked how she coped with it.

"That's really required being a woman, especially leaving the family, leaving the children, they are very small."

More For You

Salah scored a decisive penalty in the 63rd minute to help Liverpool overcome Girona, debutants in the tournament. (Photo: Getty Images)
Salah scored a decisive penalty in the 63rd minute to help Liverpool overcome Girona, debutants in the tournament. (Photo: Getty Images)

Champions League: Liverpool extend winning run; Real Madrid back on track

MOHAMED SALAH'S penalty maintained Liverpool’s unbeaten run in the Champions League on Tuesday, while Real Madrid returned to winning ways with a victory over Serie A leaders Atalanta.

Elsewhere, Paris Saint-Germain secured a crucial win against Salzburg, and Bayer Leverkusen edged past Inter Milan to move into second place in their group standings. Aston Villa, participating in the competition for the first time in 41 years, continued their impressive form with a 3-2 win over Leipzig, leaving them in third place.

Keep ReadingShow less
The exchange occurred after Siraj dismissed Head and pointed toward the Australia dressing room. (Photo: Getty Images)
The exchange occurred after Siraj dismissed Head and pointed toward the Australia dressing room. (Photo: Getty Images)

ICC penalises Siraj, Head for heated exchange during Adelaide Test

INDIA fast bowler Mohammed Siraj and Australia batsman Travis Head were fined for misconduct on Monday following an on-field exchange during the second Test in Adelaide.

Siraj was fined 20 per cent of his match fee by the International Cricket Council (ICC) after he gave Head a send-off following his dismissal for 140 in Australia’s first innings.

Keep ReadingShow less
Cole Palmer celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal from the penalty spot during the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on December 8, 2024 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)
Cole Palmer celebrates scoring his team's fourth goal from the penalty spot during the match between Tottenham Hotspur and Chelsea on December 8, 2024 in London. (Photo: Getty Images)

Chelsea come from behind to beat Tottenham 4-3 and go second

COLE PALMER converted two penalties as Chelsea overcame a 2-0 deficit to defeat Tottenham 4-3 on Sunday, moving to second place in the Premier League standings.

Early goals from Dominic Solanke and Dejan Kulusevski gave Tottenham manager Ange Postecoglou a strong start. However, Chelsea capitalised on defensive lapses to extend their unbeaten Premier League streak to seven matches.

Keep ReadingShow less
For India, the defeat added to their struggles at Adelaide, recalling their 2020 collapse when they were bowled out for their lowest-ever Test score of 36. (Photo: Getty Images)
For India, the defeat added to their struggles at Adelaide, recalling their 2020 collapse when they were bowled out for their lowest-ever Test score of 36. (Photo: Getty Images)

Australia beat India by 10 wickets to level series at Adelaide

AUSTRALIA defeated India by 10 wickets in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, levelling the five-match series 1-1.

The hosts delivered a dominant performance with both bat and ball to secure victory on day three of the pink-ball Test.

Keep ReadingShow less
Bumrah’s Brilliance: Travis Head lauds Indian pacer ahead of Adelaide test
Jasprit Bumrah

Bumrah’s Brilliance: Travis Head lauds Indian pacer ahead of Adelaide test

AUSTRALIA’S batsmen were dominated by Jasprit Bumrah in Perth, but Travis Head said they were looking forward to another round against the Indian spearhead, who he believes will be come to regarded as one of the greatest fast bowlers in history.

Captaining India in place of Rohit Sharma, Bumrah took eight wickets to lead the tourists to a resounding 295-run win in the series-opener at Perth Stadium.

Keep ReadingShow less