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Mary Kom clarifies retirement rumours amid speculation

| Updated: 25 January, 2024 2:01 pm IST

NEW DELHI: Contrary to recent reports suggesting that Indian boxing legend Mary Kom has hung up her gloves, the five-time World Champion, at 41 years old, has set the record straight, emphasising that she has not retired from the sport. Dismissing all false speculations, Mary Kom firmly clarified that she was misquoted and has not made any official announcement about stepping away from boxing.

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“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,” stated Mary Kom, putting an end to the swirling rumours.

Certain media outlets had reported that the celebrated Indian pugilist declared her retirement at an event in Dibrugarh. However, Mary Kom refuted these claims, asserting that her words were misinterpreted and she had not made any such declaration.

 

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“I was attending a school event in Dibrugarh on 24 January 2024, wherein I was motivating children, and I said, ‘I still have a hunger for achieving in sports, but the age limit in 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 will announce retirement, I will inform everyone,'” Mary Kom added, shedding light on the context of her previous statement.

Earlier reports had suggested that Mary Kom’s decision to retire was influenced by the International Boxing Association (IBA) regulations, which stipulate that boxers, irrespective of gender, can compete at the highest level only until the age of 40. However, Mary Kom’s recent clarification dispels these notions and reinforces her commitment to the sport.

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