Indian boxing legend and Olympic medallist Mary Kom on Wednesday denied reports of her retirement, citing she was misquoted. Earlier, reports started doing rounds that Kom, a six-time world champion, was retiring from her sports due to International Boxing Association's rules that permit male and female boxers to fight in elite-level only till 40.
"I haven’t announced retirement yet and I have been misquoted. I will personally come in front of 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," Kom said on Thursday morning.
She added that her earlier statement was made during a school event in Dibrugarh where she was motivating children. "I said I still have the hunger to achieve 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," Kom added.
Her top achievement was the bronze medal she clinched at the 2012 London Olympics. The five-time Asian champion was the first female boxer from India to take home a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games.