Mary Kom says amateur boxing is behind her, may go professional

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Indian boxing star Mary Kom said her amateur boxing career is behind her due to age restrictions but the 41-year-old Olympic bronze medallist said she may consider professional boxing in coming years. The maximum age for amateur boxing is 40.

While Mary Kom is yet to announce her retirement, the 2012 London Olympic medallist last competed during the Commonwealth Games 2022 trials, where she tore her anterior cruciate ligament (ACL).

"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 here 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, who competes in 51kg category, 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."

In her absence, Nikhat Zareen has grabbed the limelight in the 51kg category with back-to-back World Championship titles and Commonwealth Games gold medal. Her rivalry with Mary Kom was much documented in the national arena when the younger boxer for trying to find her feet.

She said the para athletes are the real heroes as they had to fight against the 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 1400 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