On Thursday, six-time world champion MC Mary Kom slammed the International Olympic Committee’s Boxing Task Force for “poor judging”. In her flyweight (51kg) pre-quarterfinal at the Tokyo Games, she, unfortunately, lost despite winning 2 out of 3 rounds.
A legend's campaign ends today 💔#IND's MC Mary Kom bids the Olympic stage adieu after a 3-2 split decision loss to Rio 2016 bronze medallist, Ingrit Valencia 🥊#StrongerTogether | #UnitedByEmotion | #Boxing | #Tokyo2020 | @MangteC pic.twitter.com/MgjKvWnbRN
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) July 29, 2021
As per a report in HT, the 38-year-old champion said that the evening’s loss didn’t sink in even after she had gone for her dope test. She stated, “I was happy inside the ring, when I came out, I was happy because in my mind I knew I had won. When they took me for doping, I was still happy. Only when I saw the social media and my coach (Chhote Lal Yadav repeated it to me), it sunk in that I have lost.”
She also took to Twitter to question why she was asked to change her ring dress “just a minute” before her pre-quarters:
Surprising..can anyone explain what will be a ring dress. I was ask to change my ring dress just a minute before my pre qtr bout can anyone explain. @PMOIndia @ianuragthakur @KirenRijiju @iocmedia @Olympics pic.twitter.com/b3nwPXSdl1
— M C Mary Kom OLY (@MangteC) July 30, 2021
Talking about her bout against Colombia’s Ingrit Valencia, she said, “I had beaten this girl twice in the past. I couldn’t believe that her hand was raised by the referee. I swear, it hadn’t struck me that I lost, I was so sure.” She needed a 4-1 verdict in the final round to swing the bout for her.
She continued, “The worst part is that there is no review or protest. You can’t do that here. I would have definitely protested otherwise. Honestly, I am sure the world must have seen, this is too much what they have done. I should have got the second round unanimously, how was it 3-2? What happened was totally unpredictable. She added. “In a minute or in a second everything is gone for an athlete. This is unfortunate what has happened. I am disappointed by the judging.”
So unlucky for @MangteC She won round 2 and round 3 and yet lost the bout. Just heartbroken 😢 pic.twitter.com/PhJ2mKgwPg
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) July 29, 2021
While her journey for this year’s Olympics comes to an end, the veteran is in no mood to quit anytime soon and says she will be back to compete. She stated, “I will take a break after coming back, spend time with my family. But I am not quitting. If there is any competition, I will continue and try my luck.”
Several including Priyanka Chopra and Mirabai Chanu penned heartfelt appreciation for Mary Kom on Twitter:
This is what the ultimate champion looks like…
Bravo @MangteC… you’ve shown us how to go the distance with passion and dedication. You inspire us and make us proud Every.Single.Time 🙌🏽 #Legend pic.twitter.com/jXnoiUEznu
— PRIYANKA (@priyankachopra) July 29, 2021
You are a legend @MangteC didi. We all are proud of you. pic.twitter.com/Qq2crSponN
— Saikhom Mirabai Chanu (@mirabai_chanu) July 29, 2021
Dear Mary Kom, you lost in Tokyo Olympics by just one point but for me you are always a champion!
You have achieved what no other female boxer in the world has ever achieved. You are a legend. India is proud of you🇮🇳
BOXING & OLYMPICS will miss you @MangteC 🙏 pic.twitter.com/caBe555e87— Kiren Rijiju (@KirenRijiju) July 29, 2021
Mary Kom, you win every time a young girl picks up a pair of boxing gloves! 🥊
Take a bow, champ! 🙌#BestOfTokyo | #UnitedByEmotion | #StrongerTogether | #Tokyo2020 @MangteC pic.twitter.com/cDuqoz0h0q
— #Tokyo2020 for India (@Tokyo2020hi) July 29, 2021
You will always be the Champion 🙌🏻
The Legend @MangteC 🥊💪 pic.twitter.com/28XfxycHkU— Sonal Goel IAS (@sonalgoelias) July 30, 2021
I Salute 🤺 🇮🇳@MangteC ma'am has inspired me & millions of young Girls and Boys of our country to buckle up & take a shot at their Dreams.
An epitome of age is just a number & motherhood only makes a woman stronger in mind & body! Thankyou for encouraging the youths#cheer4India pic.twitter.com/ZP5LHvXtS7— C A Bhavani Devi (@IamBhavaniDevi) July 30, 2021
.@MangteC You are really an inspiration for every Indian 🇮🇳
Best of luck for the future. pic.twitter.com/mccXK5qdru— Dr. Anil Jain (@aniljaindr) July 30, 2021
गर्व है भारत की बेटी पर! शाबाश @MangteC🥊How graceful she was in defeat. She'll forever be an inspiration. #GOAT #Olympics #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/li1rTkhbl0
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 29, 2021
No matter what the match’s result is, Mary Kom’s knockout punches will forever remain etched in the memory of every Indian!
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