'Why Can't I Come Back?': Mary Kom Refutes Claims Of Retirement, Says 'I Am Still Hungry'

Mary Kom had suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes of her 48kg category bout during the Commonwealth Games selection trials in June.

New Delhi: Legendary veteran boxer Mary Kom, who will turn 40 next month, has put an end to all speculations about her retirement. The Olympic medalist asserted she has no plans to retire and still wants to compete in the ring as she is hungry to play for the nation, ANI reported. Mary Kom had suffered a knee injury in the opening minutes of her 48kg category bout during the Commonwealth Games selection trials in June. After this, she underwent a reconstructive surgery in Mumbai. Due to injury, she missed the Commonwealth Games where she became the first Indian woman boxer to win a gold medal in 2018.

The last time Mary Kom was seen in the boxing ring competing globally was in the Tokyo Olympics last year where she lost in the pre-quarterfinals against Colombian Ingrit Valencia by a 3:2 split decision. 

"Why can't I come back? I am Mary Kom," the Indian boxer, who is the first Indian female boxer to win a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games in South Korea, said as quoted by Olympics website during a press conference on Friday.

Mary Kom won gold medals in World Championships in 2002, 2005, 2006, 2008, 2010, 2018 and won silver in 2001 and bronze in 2019. She is the only female boxer in boxing history to win six world titles.

"I am still hungry. I want to compete in one major tournament before I retire. And I don't mean an invitational event, just one proper competition before I go," she said.

Mary Kom will turn 40 next month, which means she is ineligible to compete in the Paris Olympics or the Asian Games in 2019, as both competitions' maximum participation age was 40 in 2013.

"I know there's an age barrier, but I still want to compete. People want to see me in the ring. I had a complex, three-stage surgery, but I am not done yet," Mary Kom noted.

Mary Kom has been advised to rest for six months following her surgery but she is eager to return to the ring sooner rather than later.

"I have taken it as a challenge. I want to regain full fitness in less than six months. Recovery and rehab are things that I can control," she stated.

"About three-four months back, I could bend only 10 per cent of my knee. It will slowly be 100 per cent. Gradually the mobility and strength will return," Mary Kom informed. 

(With ANI Inputs)