Five-time world champion boxer says after recovering from injuries her priority will be to qualify for Olympics
The glorious career of MC Mary Kom might come to an end after 2016 Rio Olympics.
The 31-year-old boxer from Manipur, who was in Mumbai on Thursday, didn't quite say it in as many words, but her body language did give her mind away.
Asked if Rio Games would be her last tournament, Mary said: "After Rio might be difficult (to continue)... maybe (it could be my last tournament)."
It would bring to end an illustrious career, one built on -- as she says in her own words – patience, will, hard work, sacrifice and determination. The London Olympics bronze medal winner and five-time world champion might be disappointed at not getting a shot at a sixth world title in the ongoing World Boxing Championship due to injury, but has set her sights on the elusive gold at the 2016 Olympics.
"My main aim right now is to qualify for the Olympics. My recovery will be over after my treatment. I worked very hard for the Asian Games for the past one year and that got me injured on my hamstring and back. It's a minor injury, so I will soon come back again and participate in major tournaments next year," the Asian Games gold-winning medallist said.
However, asked if she has stopped training these days, pat came the reply, "No, no, no. I can't miss training. One day or two days I can, but not much."
So is she following the action in the World Championship?
"Yes, I'm getting news from there, on who will get the medal for the country. I can't say who will get a medal. The competition is getting tougher. No country is easy now. We have to be careful in every bout. I do that. Even a weak country like Myanmar or other European countries are becoming very strong, because the sport is now in Olympics, Asian and Commonwealth Games. So we have to be careful and concentrate in every single round. We shouldn't take anything easy. We shouldn't be overconfident," Mary said.
Her replacement for the tournament, Commonwealth Games bronze-medallist Pinki Rani, crashed out in the second round. Asked to comment on her poor show, Mary straight-batted the question.
"Honestly, I'm not really the one to give comments. Because there are so many controversies around the same. (There is) no need to say who can replace (me) and who cannot. That is another thing. My point is that if I play, people expect from me and I'm giving my best to do better for the country," she said.
She might be unwilling to talk on controversial subjects, but asked if she is enjoying spending time with her family, the ever-smiling Mary's face lit up like never before.
"Of course, I am very happy. I could not give much time to my twins and now they have grown big! We didn't know how quickly they grew! I have time for my third baby (Prince) after getting injured. He misses me all the time when I go to events. I have brought him today (Thursday) also but he gets scared of the noise and crowd, that's why I didn't bring him here. Otherwise I would've been with him only," she said.
Mary was in Mumbai to receive a cheque of Rs 5 lakh from a private company for her boxing academy in Manipur. She said she is trying to create more champions like her not only in her state but all over India, and added that her biopic has inspired a lot of people.
"People are very inspired by the movie. The movie showed how difficult it became for me after marriage and kids. I hope people also continue (in their career) and believe and be active in their own profession," she said.
'I hope Sarita's ban is lifted soon'
Mary was reluctant to talk on Sarita Devi facing the prospect of a long ban from International Boxing Association (AIBA) for her Asian Games outburst, saying it will result in another set of controversies. She, however, hoped that her statemate returns to action as soon as possible. "Honestly, if I talk about Sarita, there will be so many controversies. I don't want any controversy in my career. Even I'm fighting so many controversies. But honestly, it will be good if her ban is lifted as soon as possible -- for her career, for the country and for country's medal hopes at Rio," she said.
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