Mary Kom Wiki & Biography: Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte, popularly known as Mary Kom or the “Magnificent Mary,” is one of India’s most celebrated sporting personalities. A pioneer of women’s boxing, she rose from a modest background in Manipur to become a multiple-time world champion and India’s first female Olympic boxing medallist.
After spending decades competing at the highest level of international boxing, Mary Kom entered a completely different arena in 2026. She joined Salman Khan-hosted Bigg Boss 20 as a contestant, bringing her competitive mindset, discipline, and inspiring life story to Indian television.
| Name | Chungneijang Mary Kom Hmangte |
|---|---|
| Nick Name | Mary Kom |
| Profession | Boxer |
| Famous For | Boxing |
| Date Of Birth | 1 March 1983 |
| Age | 43 |
| Birthplace | Kangathei, Manipur, India |
| Caste | NA |
| Nationality | Indian |
| Hometown | Kangathei, Manipur, India |
| School | Loktak Christian Model High School, Moirang, Manipur, India |
| College/ University | Churachandpur College, Manipur, India |
| Religion | Christianity |
| Food Habit | Non-vegetarian |
| Address | Kangathei, Manipur, India |
| Hobbies | Martial Arts, Travelling, Watching TV, Singing |
| Movies, TV Shows | NA |
| Height (approx.) | 5 feet 3 inches |
| Weight (approx.) | 59 |
| Eye Colour | Black |
| Hair Colour | Light Brown |
| Awards/ Honours | NA |
| Martial Status | Married |
| Parents | Father: Mangte Tonpa Kom Mother: Mangte Akham Kom |
Mary Kom Biography
Mary Kom Early Life and Education
Mary Kom was born on March 1, 1983, in Kangathei village in Manipur. She grew up in an economically disadvantaged family. Her parents were tenant farmers who depended on Jhum, or shifting cultivation, for their livelihood.
Mary developed an interest in sports during her childhood. Her passion for boxing grew after she was inspired by the achievements of fellow Manipuri boxer Dingko Singh. At the age of 15, she decided to pursue boxing seriously.
Initially, Mary kept her boxing training away from her father because he feared that the sport could cause facial injuries and affect her prospects. Despite these concerns, she continued to pursue her passion and eventually built a historic career in the sport.
She completed her early education at Loktak Christian Model High School and St. Xavier Catholic School in Moirang. She later moved to Imphal and studied at Adimjati High School. Mary subsequently graduated from Churachandpur College, which was affiliated with Manipur University.
Mary Kom Boxing Career
Mary Kom began formal boxing training in Imphal under coach K. Kosana Meitei. Her determination, discipline, and natural ability quickly helped her make an impression in competitive boxing. She made her competitive debut at the Manipur State Boxing Championship in 2000. A year later, she made her international debut at the Women’s World Amateur Boxing Championship.
Mary went on to become a five-time World Amateur Boxing Champion and consistently competed at the highest level of international women’s boxing. She won medals at each of the first six World Championships she entered and reached a career-high world ranking of No. 4 in the AIBA flyweight category.
Mary Kom temporarily stepped away from boxing following her marriage and the birth of her children. However, motherhood did not mark the end of her sporting ambitions.
She returned to competitive boxing at the 2008 Asian Women’s Boxing Championship, where she won a silver medal. Her comeback demonstrated her determination to return to elite-level competition despite the personal and professional challenges she had faced.
Her ability to resume her career after a major break became one of the defining aspects of her inspirational sporting journey. The 2012 London Olympics was one of the most important milestones of Mary Kom’s career. She was the only female boxer from India to qualify for the 2012 Olympic Games.
Competing in the women’s flyweight division, Mary won the bronze medal. The achievement made her India’s first female Olympic boxing medallist and brought unprecedented attention to women’s boxing in the country.
Her Olympic success also helped inspire a new generation of Indian athletes, particularly young women looking to pursue careers in combat sports and other traditionally male-dominated sporting disciplines. Mary Kom’s achievements have earned her some of India’s most prestigious sporting and civilian honours. Her major recognitions include:
- 2003: Arjuna Award
- 2006: Padma Shri
- 2009: Rajiv Gandhi Khel Ratna Award, now known as the Major Dhyan Chand Khel Ratna Award
- 2013: Padma Bhushan
- 2020: Padma Vibhushan
- 2023: Global Indian Icon of the Year at the U.K.-India Awards
These honours reflect her enormous contribution to Indian sport and her influence as a role model for aspiring athletes. Mary Kom’s contribution to public life extends beyond boxing. She served as a nominated member of the Rajya Sabha from 2016 to 2022.
Her tenure in Parliament added another dimension to her career, allowing the sporting icon to contribute to public service after establishing herself as one of India’s most successful athletes. In 2026, Mary Kom took on an unexpected new challenge by entering Bigg Boss 20. She officially joined the Salman Khan-hosted reality show on September 6, 2026, becoming the senior-most contestant of the season.
Her entry marked a dramatic shift from the boxing ring to the Bigg Boss house. Instead of competing through physical sporting contests, Mary now faces the psychological pressure, interpersonal dynamics, and unpredictable tasks associated with India’s popular reality show.
Her disciplined approach and competitive spirit are expected to make her presence particularly interesting for viewers. At the same time, the show allows audiences to discover a more personal side of the woman behind the “Magnificent Mary” identity.