I’m surprised that a superstar like Mary Kom is scared of me: Pinki Rani

All of 25, Pinki Rani Jangra seems to have rattled the biggest name in Indian women’s boxing, Mary Kom. So irked was the Olympic medallist by the mention of her closest rival Pinki recently, that she allegedly countered ‘Who is Pinki. I don’t know her.’ Interestingly, Pinki has defeated Mary Kom twice. In the Olympic qualifying finals to be held in China in March, Mary and Pinki will fight in the same weight category and only one will represent India.Excerpts from a chat with Pinki...
Pugilist Mary Kom has said that she doesn’t know who you are...
She is the brightest star of women’s boxing in India and a role model for many. I’m surprised that a superstar like Mary Kom is scared of me. You say such things only when you are afraid of your opponent. She has to understand that there will be people who will surge ahead someday.
A few months ago, she said on record that you were repeatedly being favoured by selectors and there was a bias against her…
The kind of love and respect that Mary Kom has got is amazing. I was a teenager when I faced her for the first time in the boxing ring and that moment was so special. I defeated her in 2009 and 2014 in the nationals. She has always been my role model. For her to say that I’m being favoured because of my North Indian identity and she is not getting favoured because of her North Eastern identity is really uncalled for.
Next month in the final selection trials, only one of you will make it to Rio…
At this stage everyone has the Olympics on his/her mind. And for me, it’s important to give my best, winning will come eventually.