“I haven’t announced retirement yet and I have been misquoted,” says Mary Kom

Indian boxing legend Mary Kom appeared to have delivered a bombshell on the athletic world when she spoke about retiring due to the ‘age restriction’ at an event on Wednesday. Mary, one of India’s most popular athletes, explained how her age hinders her from competing in most tournaments. However, the interpretation of her speech during the occasion turned out to be overblown.

The 41-year-old has subsequently clarified, stating that she is “still focusing on fitness.”

Mary Kom stated,”Dear Friends from media, 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”

“I have gone through some media reports stating that I have announced retirement and this is not true. I was attending a school event in Dibrugarh 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’. I am still focusing on my fitness and whenever I will announce retirement I will inform everyone. Please do correct this,” she explained.

Mary Kom explained what prompted the news of her retirement, stating that she was attending an event at a school in Dibrugarh on January 24th, when she told the guests about the Olympic age limit, which prevented her from competing.

Mary Kom is unquestionably the most decorated boxer in India and one of the greatest of all time in the sport worldwide. Mary, who has also won five Asian boxing titles, made history in 2014 when she became the first boxer from India to win a gold medal at the Asian Games.

Later on in the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, he made history by being the first Indian to earn a gold medal. She went on to win the championships at the World Championships in the years 2005, 2006, 2008, and 2010. Following the birth of her twins, Mary took a vacation following her 2008 title triumph.

Before achieving a double in 2005 and 2006, she won her first of her six Worlds gold medals in 2002. In 2008, 2010, and 2018, she would add three additional titles to her collection. In 2018, she will win her sixth Worlds title in New Delhi after defeating Ukrainian Hanna Okhota 5-0 in the championship match.