Legendary Indian boxer Mary Kom
addressed the media today to clarify she has not announced her retirement. This
statement comes in response to media reports circulating following comments she
made at a public event on January 24. Mary Kom emphasized she hasn’t retired
and intends to personally announce it when the time comes.
“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,” stated Mary Kom in a statement.
The confusion arose from her remarks at
a school event in Dibrugarh on January 24, where she highlighted her persistent
“hunger to achieve in sports” but pointed out that the age limit in the
Olympics prevents her from participating.
“I am still focusing on my fitness, and
whenever I announce retirement, I will inform everyone. Please do correct this,”
added the Olympic medallist.
Mary Kom, the first female boxer to
secure six world titles, has a remarkable boxing career. She made history by
winning the gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games, becoming the first female
Indian boxer to achieve this feat. Despite taking breaks after the 2012
Olympics and the birth of her twins, and later her third child, Mary Kom
continued to excel in the sport.
Her accomplishments include winning the
AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010.
After her return in 2018, she secured her sixth world title with a dominant 5-0
win over Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota. Mary Kom holds the record for the most world
medals by any male or female boxer, marking her enduring legacy in the world of
boxing.
