'I Am Not Retiring': Boxing Champion Mary Kom Dismisses Retirement Speculation

Boxing champion Mary Kom has clarified the rumours which claimed that she had announced retirement.

Responding to reports, the boxing champion said, "I haven't announced retirement yet and I have been misquoted. I will personally come in front of the 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 event in Dibrugarh on 24 January 2024 wherein I was motivating children and I said I still have the hunger to achieve in sports but the age limit in the 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 announce retirement I will inform everyone."

There were reports in the media on Wednesday that the six-time world champion had declared retirement as the International Boxing Association's (IBA) rules allow male and female boxers to fight in elite-level competition only till the age of 40.

As per a report in ANI, she had expressed her hunger to compete at the elite level."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," the news agency quoted her as saying at an event.

Mary holds the distinction of being the first female boxer in history to secure six world titles. Additionally, she made history as the initial female boxer from India to claim a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games, having already earned the title of five-time Asian champion.

Despite an impressive career, the seasoned pugilist secured a bronze medal in the 2012 London Olympic Games, leaving no record or title beyond her grasp. She introduced herself to the global boxing community at the age of 18 during the inaugural world meet in Scranton, Pennsylvania.