Mary Kom gets grand reception in Imphal after winning Asian Games gold

Pugilist M.C. Mary Kom, who won a gold medal at the 17th Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea last week, was given a grand reception in her home town of Imphal on Sunday.

Hundreds of people waited at the airport to welcome her with traditional dance. She left for her house in an open vehicle.

Her family and coach were proud of her achievement.

"She is working very hard. Always she practices two or three times a day that is why I can say she is very hard working that is why successful," said her coach L. Ibomcha Singh.

"Once she got gold medal in Asian games, I am very proud of her, as her sister," said her proud younger sister Cindy Kom.

Five-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist Mary Kom beat Kazakhstan's Zhaina Shekerbekova in the final of 51-kilogram division to win the women's flyweight gold medal.

Kom's win was her first at the Asian Games after she finished with bronze four years ago and her first major title in more than two years after she took a break to have her third child.