Mary Kom
Mary Kom is one of the most successful boxers in the international women's circuit.Reuters file

MC Mary Kom hopes to win a medal in 2016 Rio Olympics. Women's boxing made its debut in the 2012 London Olympics, where Mary Kom won a bronze. Indian boxing fans are hoping to see improved performance from the star pugilist in the 2016 Olympics and bring home a gold medal.

Mary Kom is aware that it will be tough to win a medal in the 2016 Olympics. The Indian pugilist, who is yet to seal her place in the Olympics as she will take part in the world championship early next year to qualify, feels qualification it will not be easy.

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"Qualifying for the Rio Games would be tough and winning a medal would be even tougher. I am trying all I can to qualify for the Games," PTI quoted Mary Kom as saying.

Mary Kom is under immense pressure as she has been a huge figure in women's boxing not only in India, but also around the world as her achievements reflect. Mary Kom has won five gold medals in the world championships, four gold medals in the Asian championships along with a number of medals in other competitions.

The Indian pugilist has already started preparing in Bangalore and is planning to go abroad and get in perfect shape for the tournament. Mary Kom could well head over to the UK, where she trained before the London Olympics.

"My training is in progress in India. I am based in Bangalore these days and all the facilities provided to me are very good. I am planning to go abroad as well in the next few months. The place has not yet been decided but it could again be UK where I trained before the 2012 Games," added Mary Kom.

Despite the sorry state of affairs in Indian boxing with the defunct status of the Indian Amateur Boxing Federation, Mary Kom wants to concentrate on qualifying for the Olympics and win medals, though she is saddened by the present scenario.

"All the problems in Indian boxing right now make me very sad. But as athletes all we can do is focus on our game. I try not to think about the issues that are there. My focus is on training. I tell myself that these are not my problems, my problem is to qualify for the Olympics and win medals if possible," she said.