Mary Kom Reiterates Ambitions to Transition to Professional Boxing in Pursuit of Competitive Fulfillment
Mary Kom, India’s esteemed six-time amateur boxing world champion, has announced her intention to shift to professional boxing to continue her competitive journey, following her age disqualification from the Olympics. Despite her successful amateur career, she seeks to fulfill her competitive hunger. Additionally, she emphasizes the need for improvements in India’s boxing performance following the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the nation did not secure any medals.
Mary Kom, a six-time world champion in amateur boxing and a bronze medallist at the London 2012 Olympics, has once again expressed her intention to transition into professional boxing. After having exceeded the age limit for Olympic participation two years ago, the esteemed boxer from India remains determined to continue her competitive journey. In a recent statement to ANI at the Army Sports Conclave in New Delhi, she remarked, “It saddens me that my age prevents me from representing India again but to fulfil my hunger to compete, I plan to turn pro very soon.” This declaration comes after her earlier aspirations last year while she was recuperating from an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury before the Asian Games. The age range for boxers to compete in the Olympics is capped between 19 and 40 years. Mary Kom showcased her prowess at both the London 2012 and Tokyo 2020 Olympics, competing in the women’s flyweight category. Notably, she made history by becoming the first Indian female boxer to secure an Olympic medal. Throughout her illustrious amateur career, Mary Kom has garnered numerous accolades, including a record six gold medals at the World Championships and medals in each of her eight appearances at this prestigious event. Additionally, her collection encompasses multiple golds from the Asian Championships, as well as accolades from both the Asian and Commonwealth Games. Mary Kom stated, “I have accomplished a lot in my amateur career but I still have the desire to play. My hunger’s still there and I want to compete in professional boxing for a year or two while staying connected to the sport.” Following her path, other prominent Indian boxers have transitioned to professional ranks since Vijender Singh, who was the first to do so in 2015 after winning bronze at the Beijing 2008 Olympics. Others include Vikas Krishan, Neeraj Goyat, and two-time Olympian Akhil Kumar. In addition to her ambitions, Mary Kom also addressed the challenges faced by the Indian boxing contingent at the Paris 2024 Olympics, where the team sent six boxers but returned without any medals. “I feel very bad because we could not win any medals (in Paris),” she articulated, urging boxers to intensify their efforts and calling upon the federation to address the existing gaps systematically. Notable mentions from the event include Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain who narrowly missed a second Olympic medal and Nishant Dev, who reached the quarter-finals in the men’s 71kg category. Additionally, two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen was eliminated in the round of 16 by the eventual gold medallist.
Mary Kom is a celebrated figure in Indian sports, particularly in the field of boxing. Her journey, marked by groundbreaking achievements and relentless dedication, has established her as a pioneer for female athletes in India. After an illustrious career in amateur boxing, she now aims to pursue professional boxing, seeking further competitive opportunities. Understanding her past accomplishments, including multiple world titles and Olympic success, provides insight into her aspirations and the current landscape of boxing in India, particularly in light of the nation’s recent performance at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In summary, Mary Kom’s aspirations to transition into professional boxing highlight her undying competitive spirit even after an illustrious amateur career. Her reflections on the past Olympic performance of India underline her commitment to the sport and concern for its future. By considering her future in professional boxing, she not only aims to satisfy her own ambitions but also hopes to inspire the next generation of boxers in India.
Original Source: olympics.com
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