New generation of athletes not hungry enough to achieve success: Mary Kom

Six-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom believes the next generation of athletes are not as hungry as she is to achieve success and are content with a single major accomplishment. The Olympic bronze medallist also stated that at 41 years old, she is "super fit" and eager to "achieve more and more."

“I will fight (on), that fighting spirit only Mary Kom has... I have that something unique from other sports stars,” Mary Kom, who has not ruled out turning pro in the coming years, said during an event on Saturday.

“I am 41 years (old), I cannot fight any international (amateur) competition this year because there is that age limit. But I want to continue for one, two or three years,” she said.

"If, like me, they have that spirit and that hunger, we will have so many medals in our country," Mary Kom added.

Incidentally, India returned with the richest-ever haul of 107 medals from the Asian Games in Hangzhou last year with many athletes winning multiple medals.

Mary Kom said she was pleased with the rise in number of young women taking up boxing.

"My hard work has paid off and now there are so many Mary Koms coming up. I feel so proud to be a girl, a mother, an Indian... so many are following my footsteps," she said.

While training and proper guidance are important for young athletes, hunger and inner drive are what make the difference, according to the boxing legend.

"Training is tough. Inner hunger and drive are the most important. Now, facilities are better. In 2001 when I started my career, no one knew women in boxing," she said.

Mary Kom believes that winning a medal in individual sports requires far more determination than winning a medal in team events.

"In football, cricket and basketball, you still have a chance. In individual sport, you lose and finish in one second. It comes from inside, chahe kuch bhi ho jaye medal lena hai (you have to win a medal irrespective of what happens). If you're not willing, nothing can happen," she added.