Top five achievements of legendary Indian boxer Mary Kom

Published at :January 25, 2024 at 7:44 AM

Modified at :January 25, 2024 at 1:59 PM

She reportedly announced her retirement on January 24, 2024 but later refuted the reports.

One of the finest boxers to come out of India of all-time, Mary Kom holds a special place in the sporting history of the country. A recipient of the Padma Bhushan, the third-highest civilian award in the Republic of India, she has made many strides over the years, leading to a considerable increase of interest in women’s boxing in the country.

She had won a bronze medal in boxing at the 2012 London Olympics, making her the first Indian female boxer and only second overall in boxing to medal at the Summer Games. Mary Kom announced her retirement from boxing at the age of 41 on January 24 (Wednesday). Kom, a record six-time World Champion, cited the conditions in the International Boxing Associations’ rulebook that allows boxers to compete in elite-level competitions only till the age of 40

However, she later denied the reports and released a statement saying that she was misquoted. “I haven’t announced retirement yet and I have been misquoted. I will personally come in front of media whenever I want to announce it,” said Mary. “I have gone through some media reports stating that I have announced retirement and this is not true.”

Mary Kom will surely go down as one of the finest boxers India has ever produced and will stay as a source of inspiration for generations to come.

Let us take a look at some of the biggest achievements of Mary Kom in her illustrious career.

5. World Amateur Boxing Champion

Mary Kom is the only female in the world to win the World Amateur Boxing Championship for a record six times. Her first victory came in Antalya, Turkey in 2002 with the last one coming in 2018 in her homeland. She made it a habit to bring out her best performance at this event.

The 2006 event hosted in New Delhi was even more special as India topped the medal tally, beating countries like Russia and North Korea. Her gold medal played an important factor in the competition. India won a total of eight medals that year including four gold one silver and three bronze medals.

Her consistency in these championships has been unparalleled. She has won a medal in each one of the first seven World Championships. The only female boxer to do so.

4. 2018 Commonwealth Games

Mary Kom also became the first Indian female boxer to win gold at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. She won her medal in the light flyweight category at Gold Coast, Queensland.

The five-time world champion beat Northern Ireland’s Kristina O’Hara 5-0 via a unanimous decision to claim the medal. She won 30-27,30-27,29-28, 30-27, 20-27 to get the victory.

3. 2014 Asian Games

Much like the Commonwealth Games, she became the first Indian female boxer to win a medal in the Asian Games too. Mary Kom was the only Indian boxer to win a gold in the tournament.

She faced off against Kazakhstan’s Zhaina Shekarbekova and trailed in the initial stage. But Mary Kom shifted gears in the later stages. The Indian pugilist efficiently combined her hooks with uppercuts landing it perfectly on her opponent’s torso. She dictated the pace and eventually came out victorious at Incheon.

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2. World Championship Medals

Mary Kom holds the distinction of winning eight World Championship medals. No other boxer (either male or female) in the world holds such a feat. She has won six gold, one silver and one bronze in the competition in her illustrious career. The last one came in Russia in 2019.

1. 2012 London Olympics

Magnificent Mary Kom fulfilled her dream of winning an Olympic medal in the London Olympics. She was the only Indian female boxer to qualify for the event and the Indian legend did not miss out on the opportunity. Moreover, it was the introduction of women’s amateur boxing at the Olympics.

She became the first female Indian boxer to win an Olympic medal. The date 8th August 2012 became a memorable day for Indian sports because of the achievement of the Manipuri native. Mary herself has described that day as “unforgettable”.

“I love the winning, I can take the losing but most of all I love to play” tweeted Mary Kom as she kissed her medal proudly.

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