Legendary Indian boxer MC Mary Kom secured a berth at Tokyo Olympics 2020 after reaching the semifinals of the Asian Qualifiers at Amman, Jordan. The boxing champion, who previously won a bronze at the London Olympics, will make her 2nd appearance at the global spectacle, reports Times of India.
CLASS ACT!💪@MangteC shows the world how to win a bout as she booked her ticket for the second Olympic Games and stormed into the semis with a classic display of counter boxing against IMagno of 🇵🇭. She becomes the 7⃣🇮🇳 to book quota for #Tokyo2020. Congrats Champ. 👏#boxing pic.twitter.com/JDIpACihbj
— Boxing Federation (@BFI_official) March 9, 2020
She defeated Philippines boxer Irish Magno in the quarter-finals (51kg category) to secure her place in the semi-final of the Olympic qualifiers. However, it was not a easy journey for the boxing star. After her win, Business Standard quoted her saying,
“It is huge for me. I feel as if I have proved myself. It really means a lot and a huge weight is off my shoulders. I hope it changes the mindset of people who are against me, people who try to manipulate and bring politics into sport.”
The 37-year-old was referring to the selection controversy where former junior world champion Nikhat Zareen had sought Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju’s intervention demanding a ‘fair chance’ to contest the Olympic qualifiers. Mary Kom beat Zareen in the final of Women’s Boxing Olympic trials to earn her ticket to the qualifiers.
“Talking outside the ring can only fetch headlines. Those headlines will be forgotten and after that, it’s just the performance. If you talk big and the results don’t add up, it will hurt you in the long run. So let your punches do the talking and create a legacy that won’t be forgotten.”
The six-time world and five-time Asian champion said that she always respects everyone and expects the same from others. Referring to a similar past event involving Pinki Jangra and L Sarita Devi she said,
“Again and again and again, I am just dragged. I can say a lot but that negativity is behind me. I have proved myself inside the ring and I would let the matter rest. I am looking forward to my second Olympics.”
Talking about the Olympics, Mary Kom said that her experience of over two decades will work to her advantage. She feels it will help her reach the podium for a better medal than 2012.
“Experience allows me to control the pace of bouts. I face a lot of aggressive and fast girls now but what they don’t have is experience and I ensure that it becomes my biggest weapon.”
However, the Tokyo Olympics will be emotionally overwhelming for Mary Kom as it will be her last.
“It will be emotional no doubt. There will be lots of pressure as well and it will not be easy to deal with all that. But I will try my best as always. In fact, I will rather just focus on getting the results I want, the emotions can wait for until after that,” she was quoted saying.
She also mentioned that she is concerned about the global novel coronavirus outbreak. The boxing champion said she will be careful and take precautionary measures as well. Mary Kom ended with a bronze at the qualifiers. All the best to the iconic player for all her future games.