New Delhi [India]: Indian boxing veteran MC Mary Kom said that she does not want to retire from the sport and will have her eyes on the Asian Championships.
MC Mary Kom, along with Bollywood actor Farhan Akhtar were revealed to be the brand ambassadors of the upcoming IBA Women’s World Boxing Championships, which will take place in Delhi from March 15-26.
At the 40-years of age, Mary still has a lot of passion for the sport and has not given up on her focus on Asian Championships. As per the rules of IBA, she cannot take part in the sport after 40.
“I know this is heartbreaking. But I want to play further and do not want to give up on my aim of winning the Asian Championships. I want to play further and I hope something changes when that event comes near. Boxing is my life and I cannot give up on this. I am clear to myself that I do not want to retire,” said Kom at the event.
Kom is not taking part in this tournament as she is recovering from an injury.
“I am not completely fit this time. I have to recover and I could not be a part of this championship. But I have a lot of faith in our young blood that they will end up winning gold medals in this championships and they are doing great,” added the boxer.
Top names from the boxing world, including eight Olympics medallists, will fight for the title at the tournament which India will be hosting for the record third time.
The event will see a total prize pool of Rs 20 crore – Rs 10 crores being the pool for gold medallists. Boxers who finish as runners-up in their categories as well as those who claim bronze will receive their prizes from pools of Rs 5 crores respectively.
The Boxing Federation of India (BFI) will be hosting the Women’s World Boxing Championships for the third time, most ever by any country since the tournament’s inception and a total of 350+ boxers, including the 12 Indians, from 74 countries have registered so far for this biennial event.
Indian Squad- Nitu Ghanghas (48kg), Nikhat Zareen (50kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (52kg), Preeti (54kg), Manisha Moun (57kg), Jaismine Lamboria (60kg), Shashi Chopra (63kg), Manju Bamboria (66kg), Sanamcha Chanu (70kg), Lovlina Borgohain (75kg), Saweety Boora (81kg) and Nupur Sheoran (81+kg).
