1. Chapter Introduction
Welcome to the best study guide for Class 8 English. In this post, we will read The Champion Woman Class 8 notes, summary, and important question answers. This chapter is a highly inspiring biographical account of M.C. Mary Kom, India’s legendary female boxer. It beautifully captures her journey from a poor farming village in Manipur to becoming a multiple-time World Boxing Champion and an Olympic medalist, breaking all societal barriers along the way.
2. Key Figures in the Chapter
- M.C. Mary Kom (Mangte Chungneijang Mary Kom): The protagonist of the chapter. She is a dedicated, hardworking, and fearless woman who overcame extreme poverty to become a world-renowned boxer. Nicknamed “Magnificent Mary.”
- Tonpa and Akham Kom: Mary Kom’s parents. They were poor tenant farmers who worked hard in the fields to support their family.
- Dingko Singh: A famous Indian boxer from Manipur. His gold medal win at the 1998 Asian Games deeply inspired Mary Kom to take up boxing.
3. Full Summary
Early Life and Struggles
M.C. Mary Kom was born on March 1, 1983, in Kangathei village, Moirang Lamkhai in Churachandpur district of rural Manipur. She belonged to a very poor family. Her parents, Tonpa and Akham, were tenant farmers. From a very young age, Mary helped her parents in the agricultural fields, took care of her younger siblings, and managed household chores while attending school. Life was a constant struggle against poverty.
The Inspiration to Box
Mary was always interested in sports, initially focusing on athletics like javelin and 400-meter running in school. However, a turning point came in 1998 when another Manipuri boxer, Dingko Singh, won a gold medal at the Asian Games. His grand success inspired many young people in Manipur, including Mary, to take up boxing. She decided to switch from athletics to boxing to bring glory to her country.
Keeping it a Secret
Mary knew her father would strictly oppose her decision to become a boxer. At that time, boxing was considered a sport only for men. Her father feared that if she got injured and her face was ruined, it would be impossible to find a match for her marriage. Therefore, Mary kept her boxing training a secret from him. He only found out when he saw a photo of Mary in a local newspaper after she won the state boxing championship in 2000. He eventually accepted her passion.
Journey to the Top
After winning the state championship, Mary never looked back. She underwent rigorous training under coach K. Kosana Meitei. Despite facing financial issues and lacking proper sports diets, her strong willpower kept her moving forward. She went on to win the World Amateur Boxing Championship multiple times (six times in her career). Because of her incredible performance and unbreakable spirit, she earned the title “Magnificent Mary.”
Olympic Glory and Recognition
Mary Kom’s crowning achievement came when she won the Bronze medal at the 2012 London Olympics, making India extremely proud. For her outstanding contributions to sports, the Government of India has honored her with prestigious awards including the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and Padma Vibhushan. Her autobiography is aptly titled “Unbreakable.”
4. Multiple Choice Questions (10 MCQs)
Q1. Who is “The Champion Woman” referred to in this chapter?
(a) P.T. Usha | (b) Saina Nehwal | (c) M.C. Mary Kom | (d) Sania Mirza
Answer: (c) M.C. Mary Kom
Q2. In which state of India was Mary Kom born?
(a) Assam | (b) Manipur | (c) Nagaland | (d) Meghalaya
Answer: (b) Manipur
Q3. What was the profession of Mary Kom’s parents?
(a) Teachers | (b) Doctors | (c) Tenant farmers | (d) Shopkeepers
Answer: (c) Tenant farmers
Q4. Which famous boxer inspired Mary Kom to take up boxing?
(a) Vijender Singh | (b) Mike Tyson | (c) Dingko Singh | (d) Muhammad Ali
Answer: (c) Dingko Singh
Q5. Why did Mary Kom hide her boxing training from her father?
(a) He wanted her to be a doctor | (b) He feared boxing would ruin her face for marriage | (c) He hated sports | (d) He had no money for fees
Answer: (b) He feared boxing would ruin her face for marriage
Q6. How did Mary’s father find out about her boxing?
(a) Her coach told him | (b) He saw her fighting | (c) He saw her photo in a newspaper | (d) Her mother told him
Answer: (c) He saw her photo in a newspaper
Q7. What popular nickname is given to Mary Kom?
(a) Magic Mary | (b) Magnificent Mary | (c) Mighty Mary | (d) Marvelous Mary
Answer: (b) Magnificent Mary
Q8. Which medal did Mary Kom win at the 2012 London Olympics?
(a) Gold | (b) Silver | (c) Bronze | (d) No medal
Answer: (c) Bronze
Q9. What is the title of Mary Kom’s autobiography?
(a) The Boxer | (b) Playing to Win | (c) Unbreakable | (d) Golden Girl
Answer: (c) Unbreakable
Q10. Who was Mary Kom’s early boxing coach?
(a) Dingko Singh | (b) K. Kosana Meitei | (c) P. Gopichand | (d) Ravi Shastri
Answer: (b) K. Kosana Meitei
5. Short Answer Questions (35 Words)
Q1. Where and when was Mary Kom born?
Ans. M.C. Mary Kom was born on March 1, 1983, in a small village called Kangathei in the Churachandpur district of Manipur. She was born into a poor family of tenant farmers.
Q2. Who inspired Mary Kom to become a boxer?
Ans. Mary Kom was deeply inspired by Dingko Singh, a fellow Manipuri boxer. When Dingko Singh won a gold medal at the 1998 Asian Games, it motivated Mary to shift her focus from athletics to boxing.
Q3. Why did Mary Kom’s father object to her taking up boxing?
Ans. Her father objected because he believed boxing was a male-dominated and aggressive sport. He feared that Mary might get severely injured and her face might get ruined, which would make it difficult to find a suitable match for her marriage.
Q4. List some of the major awards received by Mary Kom.
Ans. For her immense contribution to sports, the Indian Government has honored Mary Kom with several prestigious awards, including the Arjuna Award, Padma Shri, Padma Bhushan, and the Padma Vibhushan.
6. Long Answer Questions (60-70 Words)
Q1. Describe Mary Kom’s early life and struggles.
Ans. Mary Kom’s early life was full of hardships. Born into a poor family of tenant farmers in rural Manipur, she had to struggle for basic needs. From a young age, she shared her parents’ burden by working in the agricultural fields, collecting firewood, fishing, taking care of her younger siblings, and doing household chores, all while trying to manage her school studies and passion for sports.
Q2. How did Mary’s father finally come to know about her boxing career?
Ans. Mary kept her boxing practice a secret because she knew her father would forbid it. In the year 2000, she won the state boxing championship. Her victory was covered by the local media, and her photograph was published in a newspaper. Her father saw this newspaper and finally realized that his daughter had not only become a boxer but a champion. He eventually accepted her career choice.
Q3. Why is Mary Kom called “Magnificent Mary”? What is the central message of her life story?
Ans. She is called “Magnificent Mary” because of her extraordinary achievements in boxing. Despite extreme poverty, lack of facilities, and societal opposition, she became a multiple-time World Champion and an Olympic medalist. The central message of her life story is that with strong willpower, hard work, and dedication, a person can break any barrier and achieve greatness. Her life proves that “Unbreakable” spirit leads to success.
