Saina Nehwal and Mary Kom, both achievers in their own field, said they have succeeded because they took on the challenges life threw at them.
Interacting with the media during the second edition of Fit Families Fest, organised by Herbalife Nutrition India here on Sunday, Saina and Mary Kom emphasised the need to embrace the challenges to move forward in life.
The badminton star said after the knee surgery [in August 2016], she never thought she would be able to make a quick recovery. “Then I went on to win a medal [a bronze each] in the 2018 Commonwealth Games, Asian championships and the Asian Games. There are going to be tough times in everybody’s life. I love the challenges and I am enjoying it,” said the 28-year-old.
Even though Mary Kom hasn’t had any major injury problems, she is juggling many things. She is a Rajya Sabha MP, a mother to three sons and is running a boxing academy in Imphal besides looking after herself.
She said her focus at the moment is the AIBA World Elite boxing championship, scheduled in November this month in New Delhi. “[I am] looking for the sixth title. Everyone is dreaming. Without any challenge how can we aim,” said the 35-year-old.
May Kom lauded Boxing Federation of India, under Ajay Singh, for sending boxers to more tournaments abroad. According to the Olympic bronze medallist, there is a clear system for sending a particular group of boxers with a particular weight category to a particular tournament. “Everything is done with a lot of planning,” she said.
While Mary Kom hasn’t had any nemesis in her career, for Saina there is Tai Tzu Ying against whom she has a poor 5-12 win/loss record. To which Saina replied. “It is a big challenge. She [Tai] has so many strokes. You have to be at your best in fitness.”
With Roger Federer and Lee Chong Wei for inspiration, Saina said she will continue to play as long as she is able to bag medals. “As long as medals are coming, I will push my body. Injuries are part of everyone’s life. Only two players are winning, Carolina [Marin] and Tai [Tzu Ying]. You have to just wait for your time. When players like Roger [Federer] and Lee Chong Wei are [still] playing, how can you just give it up like that. [You have to] find a way to correct it,” she said.