Super moms look to impress

Stereotypically, mothers in sport only appear in sports stories when they’re making a scene on the sideli­nes. Then surfaces a Kim Clijsters or a Paula Radcliffe or a Catherine Ndereba or a Catriona Matthew, defying and redefining gender stereotypes, rebooting the enduring and en­grossing debate about mot­herhood aborting career prospects.

The success of Clijsters confirms that motherhood need not interrupt a woman’s care­er even when it requires sup­r­eme athleticism, tactical skill and fierce competitive instin­ct. In the more gender-bound terrain of the sub-continent, motherhood is a curtain-call for athletes, the return from motherhood to competitive action far less probable.

That puts into perspective the accomplishments of discuss-hurler Krishna Poonia, boxer Mary Kom and high ju­mper Sahana Kumari. Far fr­om being deterred by the ap­parent shackles of motherh­ood, the trio has not only ma­naged to sustain their compet­e­nce level but also ensured that their performances only improved.

Most of Krishna Poonia’s ac­hievements were after she ga­ve birth to Lakshya, almost a decade ago. And for him, she would strive that extra yard for a medal.

“He is now at an age where he understands what my perf­o­rmances mean and how hard I have to work for them. The smile on his fa­ce and the cheer in his voice wh­en I do reasonably well is a fair reward for this effort,” said Poonia, aiming to breach the 65-metre mark in London, in what wo­uld be her last Olympics.

So would it be for boxer MC Mary Kom, who buckled two (2008 and 2010) of her five World Cup titles after delivering twins, Raengpe and Naid­ong. Incidentally, her maiden Olympic bout coincides with the fifth birthday (August 5) of her twins. “I want to win th­­at bout. It will be the best present for my two sons,” she said. An Olympic medal wo­u­ld be an even better gift. 

Also making her Olympic debut is Sahana Kumari, mo­ther of six-year old Pavana. “Her face gave me the  motivation to work harder. I want her to be proud that her mo­ther is an Olympian. A couple of years ago, when I couldn’t improve my record, I even th­ought of retiring. But her face gave me the courage and mot­ivation,” she said.

“It is a regret that my husb­a­nd and I have had to sacrifice the pleasure of watching our child grow and of enjoying his ch­ildhood because we are away so often.

“He is about to tu­rn 11 and I am looking forw­ard to spen­ding the rest of his formative years in close pr­o­ximity to him,” felt Poonia. So would at­test Mary and Sahana.