Legendary boxer Mark Kom announced her decision to retire from the sport on January 24, citing her age limit as the main reason. Mary Kom, 41, said she was “forced to quit” because of the age limit, adding that she still has the hunger to compete at the highest level.

Mary Kom became the first Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal in women’s boxing when she won bronze in 51kg category at the London Olympics in 2012. Before she won a medal at the Games, she was already a 5-time world champion. A six-time world champion, Mary Kom last won a medal at the highest level – a silver at the Asian Championships in 2021. Mary has won as many as 8 world championship medals, and 7 Asian championship medals, 2 Asian Games medals, and a Commonwealth Games gold medal.

Mary Kom competed at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021, losing to Ingrit Valencia in the pre-quarterfinals of the women’s flyweight category. The legendary boxer holds the record for most world championship medals by any male or female boxer – 8 with the last one coming in 2019.

WHY DID MARY KOM RETIRE

An inspiration for many, Mary Kom decided to retire as the International Boxing Association’s (IBA) rules allow male and female boxers to compete at the “elite level” only till 40. According to Rule 2.1.2 of IBA Technical and Competition Rules, Men and Women Boxers between the ages of 19 to 40 are categorised as Elite Boxers.

During an event, Mary Kom said that while she does have the hunger to compete, the age limit restricts her from doing so. She said that she has been forced to leave the sport.

“I have the hunger still but unfortunately because of the age limit it is over I cannot compete in any competition. I want to play more but I am being forced to quit (due to the age limit). I have to retire. I have achieved everything in my life,” Mary Kom said, as quoted by news agency ANI.

THE LEGACY OF MAGNIFICENT MARY

Mary Kom, affectionately known as “Magnificent Mary,” made history as the first Indian woman to secure a gold medal at the AIBA Women’s World Boxing Championships in 2002, triumphing over North Korea’s Jang Song-ae in the 45kg category. Her commitment to excellence led to her retaining the world title in 2006 in New Delhi, earning her the monikers ‘Queen of Boxing’ and ‘Magnificent Mary.’

Continuing her success, Mary Kom became the first Indian female boxer to win a gold medal at the Asian Games in 2014 in Incheon, South Korea. Additionally, she secured another gold for India at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Her dominance in the Asian Amateur Boxing Championships, winning the championship six times, solidifies her status as a boxing legend.

Mary Kom’s Olympic journey is equally inspiring. She was the sole Indian female boxer to qualify for the 2012 London Olympics, earning a bronze medal in the flyweight (51 kg) category. Despite not participating in the 2016 Rio Olympics, she proved age is just a number as she went on to compete a the Olympic Games 9 years after her maiden appearance at the Games..

Beyond the ring, Mary Kom’s contributions include the role of national observer for boxing and becoming a member of the Rajya Sabha, the upper house of the Indian parliament. The Government of Manipur honored her with the title “Meethoileima (roughly translates to great lady)” and in 2020, she received the Padma Vibhushan, India’s second-highest civilian award.

Mary Kom’s legacy extends beyond medals, serving as a beacon of hope and inspiration for aspiring athletes, especially women, in India and worldwide.