Fatima Zahra
Pakistan's historic woman boxer reveals why India's Mary Kom is her biggest inspiration
Indian Olympic medallist and boxing icon MC Mary Kom has inspired generations of young athletes across the country. Now, an inspiring story has emerged from Pakistan, where Commonwealth Games medallist Fatima Zahra has credited the Indian legend for motivating her boxing journey.
Zahra etched her name into Pakistan's sporting history by becoming the country's first woman boxer to win a medal at the Commonwealth Games.
The 22-year-old boxer from Pakistan claimed a historic bronze medal in the women's 60kg category at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Growing up in Pakistan's Punjab province, Fatima found a role model in Mary Kom at a time when there were few accomplished female boxers in her own country to look up to.
She revealed that the 2014 biographical film based on Mary Kom's life left a lasting impression on her and became a source of motivation when she began training.
Speaking to Indian news agency PTI, Fatima said: "I am inspired by India's Mary Kom."
Indian Olympic medallist and boxing icon MC Mary Kom has inspired generations of young athletes across South Asia. Photo: MC Mary Kom/X
"I used to watch the film made on her life. When I started boxing, I would watch that movie and then train. I have a lot of respect for her and, Inshallah (God willing), one day I will become like her. I hope I can meet her," she said.
Mary Kom is regarded as one of India's greatest sporting icons. Rising from humble beginnings in Manipur, she went on to become a six-time world champion, an Olympic bronze medallist and a Commonwealth Games gold medallist.
Fatima also spoke about the challenges she faced in pursuing boxing, revealing that her family initially opposed her decision to enter the sport.
"They would not let me go for training, but I fought with them and continued training," she told PTI.
"And now they are more tense than me before my fights and competitions," she added.
Fatima expressed hope that her Commonwealth Games medal would encourage more women in Pakistan to pursue boxing and challenge long-standing social stereotypes.
"I was also just another girl. I joined boxing, trained and worked hard. I want other girls who are told to stay at home to come out like me," she said.
"I have struggled and worked so hard. I want others to feel encouraged by my performance and get inspired," she added.
Creating history at the Commonwealth Games, Fatima defeated New Zealand's Jordan Wilson 5-0 in the women's 60kg quarter-finals to secure Pakistan's first-ever Commonwealth Games boxing medal for a woman.
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