NEW DELHI: MC Mary Kom, a six-time world champion and 2012 Olympic medallist, declared her retirement from boxing on Wednesday.
Mary Kom hung up her boxing gloves because, according to IBA regulations, boxers of both sexes are only permitted to compete at the highest level until they are 40 years old.
Mary, 41, acknowledged during an event that she still has the desire to fight at the highest level but that the age restriction must put an end to her career.
"I have the hunger still but unfortunately because of the age limit it is over I cannot compete in any competition. I want to play more but I am being forced to quit (due to the age limit). I have to retire. I have achieved everything in my life," Mary said during an event.
Mary holds the distinction of being the first female boxer in boxing history to win six world titles. The five-time Asian champion made history in 2014 by becoming the first Indian female boxer to win a gold medal in the Asian Games.
The seasoned fighter won a bronze medal in the 2012 Olympic Games in London, leaving any record or title untouched from her reach. At the age of eighteen, she made her public debut in the first world meet in Scranton, Pennsylvania.
She stunned everyone with her almost faultless boxing technique and advanced to the 48kg category final. Although she was not successful in the end, she left a legacy of her future achievements.
She went on to become the first Indian woman to win a gold medal in the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in the next years. She went on to win the championships in 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 win.
Following the birth of her third child, Mary took a vacation after earning the Olympic medal in 2012. She not only announced her comeback but also guaranteed her spot at the top of the 2018 World Championships, which took place in Delhi.
She dominated, winning her sixth world title with a 5-0 victory over Hanna Okhota of Ukraine. She went on to win her eighth world medal a year later, more than any other boxer, male or female.
(With ANI inputs)
