GUWAHATI: Boxing sensation Mary Kom has quashed recent reports circulating about her retirement, asserting that she has been grossly misquoted.
The six-time World Champion and 2012 Olympic medallist set the record straight during a motivational session at a school event in Dibrugarh, on January 24.
Contrary to earlier reports, Mary Kom categorically stated, “I have not officially announced retirement. I want to make it clear that I still have the fire within me to compete.”
The 41-year-old athlete reassured the public that when the time comes for her to step back, she will personally inform the press about her decision.
Known for her tenacity both in and out of the ring, Kom passionately explained that she continues to harbour dreams of achieving more in the realm of sports.
While she acknowledged the age limit imposed by the Olympics, restricting her future participation, the champion boxer highlighted her unwavering commitment to the sport and her fitness.
The initial reports had claimed that Kom, in adherence to the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) regulations, declared her retirement due to the age limit for elite-level competition, which is set at 40 for both male and female boxers.
However, Mary’s recent revelation at the school event painted a different picture.
Kom, who etched her name in boxing history as the first female boxer to secure six world titles, has a career laden with groundbreaking achievements.
A five-time Asian champion, she created history by clinching gold at the 2014 Asian Games, becoming the first Indian female boxer to achieve this feat.
Her Olympic journey includes a bronze medal at the London 2012 Games, where she left an indelible mark.
Kom started her remarkable journey at the age of 18, introducing herself to the world at the inaugural world meet in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
Taking breaks after her victories, including becoming a mother to twins in 2008 and welcoming her third child after the 2012 Olympics, Kom staged triumphant comebacks.
In 2018, she secured the top spot at the World Championships in Delhi, claiming her sixth world title with a resounding 5-0 victory over Ukraine’s Hanna Okhota.
The subsequent year saw her further solidify her legacy by winning her eighth world medal, a remarkable achievement unmatched by any male or female boxer.
