“Mary Kom Clarifies: No Retirement Announcement Made”

In response to recent media reports suggesting her retirement, legendary Manipuri flyweight (51kg) boxer Mary Kom clarified that she has not officially announced her retirement. In a statement to PTI, she emphatically stated, “I haven’t announced retirement yet and I have been misquoted. I will personally come in front of 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 confusion arose from earlier reports that quoted her mentioning the age cutoff of 40 years for amateur boxers, implying that she was compelled to retire due to this restriction. Mary Kom clarified the context of her statement, explaining that during an event at a school in Dibrugarh (Assam) on January 24, 2024, where she was motivating children, she expressed her ongoing passion for sports. She clarified, “I still have hunger for achieving in sports, but the age limit in Olympics doesn’t allow me to participate, though I can carry on with my sport.”

Asserting her commitment to the sport, Mary Kom emphasized that she is still focusing on her fitness and will inform everyone when she decides to retire. She urged the media to correct the misinterpretation of her statements.

Mary Kom, a trailblazing figure in Indian boxing, has not been in action since her pre-quarterfinal loss in the Tokyo Olympics, which marked her last appearance at the quadrennial event. Speculation about her future intensified due to her refraining from entering the professional boxing arena, where there is no age restriction.

The acclaimed athlete boasts an illustrious career with six Asian titles and half a dozen world gold medals, making her one of the most decorated Indian sportspersons. As a mother of four, she has received numerous accolades, including the Khel Ratna award, and has served as a Rajya Sabha MP. In recognition of her outstanding contributions, she was honored with the Padma Vibhushan, the country’s second-highest civilian award, in 2020. The uncertainty surrounding her retirement has generated considerable interest among fans and the sports community.

Author: suman jha