Anilava Chatterjee, Tokyo: Six time world champion Indian boxer Mary Kom still cannot believe having lost her bout against Colombia’s Ingrit Valencia on Thursday. The veteran boxer’s dream of winning a second Olympic medal was shattered after the judges ruled against her favour despite winning two of the three rounds.
An emotional Mary Kom in a brief and exclusive reaction to Xtra Time said, “I still cannot believe. I am trying to keep my emotions in check. I don’t know why it happens to me every time.”
Sharing her disappointment, Mary said, “I am disappointed not to take the medal home. I am sorry for the countrymen. Everybody knows who is winning, I thought I was winning.”
On being asked if she would continue the sport she loved, the mother of four said, “Boxing is my life. I cannot live without boxing. I wish to continue to for another one or two years.”
The Indian trailed 4-1 in the opening round with four of the five judges scoring it 10-9 in favour of Valencia. In the next two rounds, Mary Kom got three of the five judges to rule in her favour but the overall score line was still in favour of Valencia.
The Manipuri clinched the third round too but once again, it was 3-2 and not 4-1 which is what she needed to swing the final score in her favour.