Xtra Time Web Desk: Six-time world champion boxer Mary Kom still cannot sink in the disappointment of failing to make it to the Quarter finals of Tokyo Olympics. A day after losing her pre quarter final bout against Columbia’s Ingrit Valencia, MC Mary Kom seeks an explanation about why she was asked to change the ring dress a minute before her quarterfinal bout. The legendary boxer took to twitter on Friday to express her surprise as to why she was asked to change her ring dress minutes before her Rd 16 bout.
She tweeted, “Surprising..can anyone explain what will be a ring dress. I was ask to change my ring dress just a minute before my pre qtr bout can anyone explain.”
The Indian boxer lost the bout despite winning two of her three rounds. She was even shocked to know the verdict after the bout. Mary was seen smiling and raising her hands after the judges’ decision was announced. The 38-year-old later said that she realised she had lost only after seeing former sports minister Kiren Rijiju’s tweet about her bout.
The irrepressibly determined boxer rose from a poverty-stricken childhood in Manipur defying her father’s initial skepticism about boxing to become a six-time amateur world champion, reacted to her defeat with good sportsmanship and pragmatism.
Meanwhile it is assumed it will be the last Olympics for Mary Kom as the international boxing association currently limits boxers to 40 years old in its competitions, but it’s suspended for this Olympic cycle after years of problems. Even if the governing body is reinstated to run the Paris Olympics, it has expressed openness to raising the age limit in the past, particularly if a celebrity fighter is interesting in pursuing another attempt in Paris.