Indian boxing icon MC Mary Kom has not ruled out the possibility of turning professional in the future after a glittering amateur career in which she landed an Olympic medal besides six world titles.
Mary Kom, who won bronze in the 2012 London Olympics, admits she cannot continue competing in amateur events due to age restrictions. The rules state a boxer above the age of 40 cannot compete in amateur events, ruling out the 41-year-old pugilist from Manipur.
Mary Kom has been out of action since suffering an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury during the selection trial for last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, but is yet to officially announce her retirement.
“If I say from my heart, I am still hungry to do something. I still want to compete and represent the country. But I am not being able to compete from this year because of age limit,” Mary Kom told PTI after giving away medals to the podium finishers of the inaugural Khelo India Para Games in New Delhi on Monday.
“But I will still try to do something relating to boxing. (I) May go to pro but don’t know yet what I will do. I still have the spirit to play one to two years or even four years,” she added.
The legendary boxer said she missed competitions because of injuries also.
“I could not compete this year due to age bar, I missed a lot of competitions. I had a major injury, an ACL and after recovery I missed a lot of competitions like Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and World Championships.”
She said the para athletes are the real heroes as they had to fight against odds to bring laurels for the country.
“We respect you from the heart, we are inspired by your success through your struggles. Whatever I have achieved for the country seems to be very less as compered to what you have achieved.
“Seeing you guys has given me more strength, more energy. You para athletes are my real heroes. I wish you win more and more medals for the country.”
More than 1,400 para athletes from 32 states and union territories are taking part in the inaugural Khelo India Para Games being held in three venues of the Capital City.
With inputs from PTI
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