Boxer Kom won’t hang up gloves over Rio KO

NEW DELHI: India’s “Magnificent” Mary Kom (pic) said she was heartbroken after failing to gain a wildcard for the Rio Olympics, but the five-time world champion stressed she wasn’t about to quit boxing.

Kom, 33, failed to qualify after losing a crucial bout at the Women’s World Boxing Championships in Kazakhstan last month, raising speculation about her future.

The 2012 Olympic bronze medallist had been pinning her hopes on a last-ditch plea for a wildcard spot, but the International Olympic Committee has now turned down her request.

“I have been duly informed that I won’t be getting a wildcard. It is heartbreaking,” Kom was quoted saying by the Press Trust of India (PTI) news agency.

“I have to accept this decision but I am not quitting the sport right now. I will continue to compete (while) I am feeling fit and for the time being I think I am fit,” added Kom.

Kom, a household name in India and the subject of a Bollywood film in 2014, always faced an uphill battle to secure a spot. Only one wildcard entry was on offer for each of the three women’s boxing categories in Rio in August.

Despite her disappointment, Kom, a motherof-three who hails from a poor family in the neglected and remote state of Manipur, insisted “the future is good”.

“I am aware that retirement is something that would be talked about a lot, but for the time being I have dropped the idea,” said Kom. — AFP