Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom on Sunday said that she hopes to win the Bharat Ratna by winning a gold at the Tokyo Olympics. The 36-year-old is the first female sportsperson to be decorated with the Padma Vibhushan award.
“It is a dream to win the Bharat Ratna. With this award [Padma Vibhushan] I will now be inspired to do even better with the thought that I can win the Bharat Ratna,” Mary Kom told reporters.
She added, “Sachin Tendulkar is the only sportsperson to have won it and I hope to become the second one and the first woman. I want to emulate Tendulkar and I get inspiration from him.”
The 36-year-old Mary Kom, however, said her immediate target is to first qualify for the Olympics. “My immediate target is to first qualify for Olympics and then I will think about the colour of the medal. If I qualify and win a gold in Tokyo I hope to get the Bharat Ratna. To be honoured with Bharat Ratna will be the pinnacle of achievement and recognition for not only a sportsperson, but also for any Indian,” she said.
Bharat Ratna is India’s highest civilian award. The the 2012 Olympics bronze medallist said. She said: “I am proud to be an Indian and I thank God for making me an Indian. Each time I go out to fight for the country, I feel something inside me and that motivates me to bring glory to the country. The kind of love the people of this country have given me, I want to give back with my performance.”
She added: “It is an emotional and touching moment for me to have won the country’s second highest award. And that came when the country is celebrating the Republic Day. I will never forget this day. I thank sports minister for recommending me and also thank the Prime Minister for his support.”
Buy an annual Scroll Membership to support independent journalism and get special benefits.
Our journalism is for everyone. But you can get special privileges by buying an annual Scroll Membership. Sign up today!