'Muhammad Ali is my hero, my superstar,' reveals Mary Kom to Arnab Goswami on Nation Wants To Know

Mary Kom who made history after becoming the first woman to win six gold medals in World Boxing Championships, spoke to Republic TV's editor-in-chief Arnab Goswami on the show 'Nation Wants To Know'. She has revealed that she is immensely inspired by Muhammad Ali. She even said that he was one of the reason she took up boxing.

Muhammad Ali is my hero. He is my superstar and he is a hero. I am really inspired by him. I took up boxing because of him. Now unfortunately (he passed away). Everyone who is inspired by him is feeling the loss.

Kom became the first female pugilist to win six gold medals in the history of the competition. She surpassed Irish Boxer Katie Tayor's record of five golds and a bronze in the competition.

"I have a medal in Olympics (a bronze in 2012), but gold is something I dream for. I am very happy about my championship win, as it boosted my confidence to face life head-on," she told reporters on the sidelines of an athletics event here.

READ: India's Mary Kom Becomes First Female Boxer To Win Six World Boxing Championship Gold Medals

The 36-year-old is now eyeing the gold at the Tokyo Olympics. 

"I have a medal in Olympics (a bronze in 2012), but gold is something I dream for. I am very happy about my championship win, as it boosted my confidence to face life head-on... I am eyeing a gold at Tokyo Olympics. I will train doubly-triply hard to get a gold for my country," she said.

READ: After World Boxing Championship Triumph, Mary Kom Aims For Gold At Olympics

Kom, who has kept raising the bar for herself, spoke about what motivated her during the interview. She said that the story of David and Goliath motivated her.

"I keep in mind that I am like a small David and the big big countries are Goliath. David was a small boy who killed the Goliath and I can do it. This is a game, I cannot kill them but I can beat them". 

READ: I Am Like A Small David, I Can Beat Them: Mary Kom Reminds Herself Of This Story From Bible To Motivate Herself