"I haven't announced retirement yet and I have been misquoted", says Mary Kom

Mary Kom (Pic: AFP)

Since her appearance in the Tokyo Olympics 2021, the future of celebrated Indian woman boxer Mary Kom has been a subject of speculation. Kom on Thursday proved all the talks of her retirement wrong.

The six-time World Champion found herself in the storm of social media after reportedly declaring that due to the 40 years of age, she has been forced to retire.

On Thursday morning, she stated that she had been misquoted and that her retirement is still some time away.

Also Read: James Anderson: A burly fast bowler

"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. I have gone through some media reports stating that I have announced retirement and this is not true," the Manipuri flyweight (51kg) category boxer asserted.

She then tried to give context to her earlier comment, insisting that she was merely talking about the international rules and not referring to herself specifically.

"I was attending a school event in Dibrugarh (Assam) on 24 January 2024 wherein I was motivating children and I said 'I still have a hunger to achieve in sports but the age limit in the Olympics doesn't allow me to participate though I can carry on with my sport'," she said.

Also Read: AUS vs WI 2nd Test: Mitchell Starc completes 350 test wickets

"I am still focusing on my fitness and whenever I will announce retirement I will inform everyone. Please do correct this," she added.

Mary Kom last featured in the Tokyo Olympics and since then has not been seen in action at the quadrennial showpiece.

She attempted to appear for the 2022 Commonwealth Games trials but had to pull out on the day of the selection bouts due to a torn ACL (Anterior Cruciate Ligament) for which she underwent surgery.

However, she resumed training after rehabilitation last year and insisted that she has another 3-4 competitive years left in her even though the Olympics was now out of bounds for her.

Amid her gradual withdrawal, Nikhat Zareen has taken over the 51kg slot, and claimed two back-to-back world titles, the latest one coming last year.

Mary Kom, on the other hand, has been seen in several administrative roles given to her by the Indian Olympic Association. She recently headed an IOA oversight panel which investigated the sexual harassment charges levelled by some top women wrestlers against the former wrestling federation head Brij Bhushan Sharan Singh.

What has added to the intrigue surrounding her is her decision to stay away from professional boxing where there is no age bar.

With six Asian titles and several gold medals, Kom is one of the most decorated Indian sportspersons of all time. "Magnificent Mary" is a moniker given to her by the world body for boxing as a tribute to her achievements.

In 2020, she received the country's second highest civilian award the Padma Vibhushan and has also received Khel Ratna. She also served as a Rajya Sabha MP.

(With PTI Inputs)