NEW DELHI: Amidst reports that she has called quits, six-time world champion and 2012 Olympic medallist MC Mary Kom denied taking retirement from boxing.
Issuing a statement, Mary Kom said, "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 was attending a school in event in Dibrugarh on 24 January 2024 wherein I was motivating children and I said "I still have hunger of achieving in sports but age limit in 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."
Earlier there were reports that 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.
