‘Inshallah, I will become like her’: How Pakistan's Fatima Zahra made history, inspired by Mary Kom

Glasgow: Whilst Indian boxing icon MC Mary Kom has long motivated domestic fighters, the six-time world champion's impact extends far beyond national boundaries, reaching Pakistan's inaugural female Commonwealth Games medallist, Fatima Zahra.

The 22-year-old concluded her campaign with a landmark bronze medal in the women's 60kg competition, carving her name in history as the first female pugilist from Pakistan to claim a podium finish at the Commonwealth Games.

Reared in Sargodha within Pakistan's Punjab province, Fatima lacked female boxing role models locally, leading her to seek inspiration across the border from Mary Kom.

"I am inspired by India's Mary Kom," Fatima told the Press Trust of India following her bronze-medal bout.

For Fatima, it was not merely the accolades accumulated by Mary Kom that struck a chord, but rather the narrative underpinning her success.

Hailing from an impoverished farming household in rural Manipur, Mary Kom conquered severe financial constraints, societal pushback, and scarce infrastructure to ascend as one of the preeminent fighters in the sport's history.

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She trained clandestinely during her youth, juggling athletic preparations with agrarian labour prior to securing half a dozen world championship crowns, an Olympic bronze, gold medals at both the Asian and Commonwealth Games, and five continental titles.

The 2014 cinematic biography based upon Mary Kom's life made an indelible impression on Fatima, who was then just ten years old.

"I used to watch the film made on her life. When I started boxing, I used to watch that movie and train. I have a lot of respect for her and inshallah one day I will become like her. I hope I can meet her," Fatima said.

Much like her Indian idol, Fatima was forced to confront domestic resistance before she could pursue her athletic ambitions.

"My background is not that strong. My basic coach taught me everything," she noted.

"My family was against boxing. They would not let me go for training, but I fought with them and continued training."

Over time, that initial opposition has morphed into steadfast backing.

"And now they are more tense than me for my fight and competition," she remarked with a smile.

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Fatima harbours hopes that her breakthrough performance will embolden other Pakistani girls to break down prejudices and embrace athletics rather than remaining restricted to domestic duties.

"I was also just another girl. I joined boxing, trained and worked hard. I want other girls who are told to work at home to come out like me.

"I have struggled and worked so hard. I want others to get boosted by my performance and get inspired."

PTI