Sports Desk, 25th January: Legendary Indian boxer Mary Kom clarified on Thursday, January 25, that she has not announced her retirement, contradicting previous reports. Addressing a statement she made at a public event on Wednesday, Mary Kom emphasized that her age limit prevents her from participating in the Olympics but confirmed her commitment to staying fit and continuing in the sport.
Reports had quoted Mary Kom stating that she was compelled to quit boxing due to her age limit, despite her desire to compete at the highest level. The 41-year-old boxer asserted that she was “misquoted” and expressed her intent to personally address the media when she decides to make a retirement announcement.
In a statement, Mary Kom said, “Dear Friends from media, I haven’t announced retirement yet, and I have been misquoted. I will personally come in front of the media whenever I want to announce it.”
She clarified, “I was attending a school event in Dibrugarh on January 24, 2024, wherein I was motivating children, and I said, ‘I still have hunger to achieve in sports, but age limit in Olympics doesn’t allow me to participate, though I can carry on with my sport. I am still focusing on my fitness, and whenever I will announce retirement, I will inform everyone.'”
Despite being 41 years old, Mary Kom emphasized that age is just a number for her. Her remarkable achievements include winning her eighth world championship medal in 2019 and securing an Asian Championships bronze medal in 2021, defying age expectations.
Looking ahead, speculation suggests Nikhat Zareen may compete in the Paris Olympics, representing the famous weight category, as one of the favorites to win a medal.
Mary Kom’s incredible journey in boxing boasts six World Amateur Boxing Championship victories, an unparalleled achievement in the women’s category. She won her first gold in 2002 and continued her dominance, culminating in her latest gold in 2018 in New Delhi. Additionally, her Olympic success includes a bronze medal in the flyweight (51 kg) category at the 2012 London Games, marking a historic achievement as the only Indian female boxer to qualify for the Olympics at that time.
In the Asian arena, Mary Kom’s legacy shines with gold medals at the 2014 Asian Games in Incheon, South Korea, and the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Her dominance in the Asian Championships is evident with six gold medals, one silver, and one bronze, showcasing consistent excellence over the years.
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