Victorious Kom refrains from hugging her ‘controversial’ junior

Veteran boxer M C Mary Kom remained combative long after winning the trial for Olympic qualifiers on Saturday, slamming the controversy that preceded her showdown with 23-year-old

Nikhat Zareen.

The 36-year-old six-time world champion prevailed 9-1 over former junior world champion Zareen, and at the end of it all, there was no customary handshake and the senior pro also rebuffed an attempted hug from her younger rival.

“Yes, I didn't hug her, what's the big deal?” an ‘irritated’ Kom was quoted as saying by PTI. Zareen had written an open letter to Sports Minister Kiren Rijiju sighting ‘favoritism’, and had specifically demanded a trial bout against the Manipuri legend.

"I don't like this, you drag my name into an unnecessary controversy and then you try to posture… I did not start this, I never said I will not fight you in a trial then why did you drag my name," Kom continued. "Can't I get angry when my credentials are questioned like this? It has happened so many times with me despite the fact that no other Indian boxer has achieved what I have achieved," she added referring to past selection controversies in which she has been challenged without much success by the likes of former Commonwealth Games bronze-winner Pinki Jangra.

Kom also seemed to direct foul words at Nikhat when the result was announced, which the latter confirmed. "Yes in the ring she used some bad words for me. I don't want to react on that right now," Nikhat told reporters.