Mary Kom May Still Make Rio Cut, But Boxing’s Loss If She Doesn’t?

Here’s how there is still a slim chance MC Mary Kom will make the cut for the Rio Olympics.

MC Mary Kom in a photo shoot with one of India’s Goodwill Ambassadors to Rio, Salman Khan.

A bandh affected normal life in Manipur on Saturday.  And just when people were coming to terms with it after a downpour and suspended essential services throughout the day, they got a bigger jolt. Mary Kom had lost her second round bout in the the Boxing World Championship in Astana, Kazakhstan.  The five-time World Champion and London Olympic bronze medallist is not just out of the medals’ fray but chances of her participation in the Rio Olympic Games are also virtually over.

For Mary Kom loyalists, the very thought of her not being at the Olympics was unbelievable. The only straw of hope is that the two qualifiers from Asia/Oceania zone win medals in Astana thereby forfeiting their Asian berth to be given by AIBA (boxing’s international body) to Mary. Nicolas Jomard, AIBA Senior Manager Corporate & Media, later in the evening confirmed this.

The only possibility to qualify is if number one Ren Cancan of China and number three Lin Yu Ting of Taipei China from the Asian/Oceania Olympic tournament finish with a medal in Astana.

Nicolas Jomard, AIBA Senior Manager- Corporate & Media

Paving The Way for Mary

For this distinct possibility though, Mary and her fans have to wait till Monday, 23rd May when Yu Ting and Cancan take on their opponents in the pre-quarters of the World Championships. Quarters and semis can come later.

After upsetting the fourth seed Petrova Stanimira of Bulgaria on Saturday, Lin Yu Ting has to play Cuscun Elif Nur of Turkey. And she is capable of beating her. But for Cancan it will be a tough call to face the second seed Elena Saveleva of Russia. And this tie may end Mary’s progress to Rio.

(Photo: Reuters)

Boxing’s Rio Loss?

But what if Mary is not at the Rio Games?  Not just Mary and her fans even AIBA would have liked her at the Olympics.

Boxing’s world body has always hailed the Indian star’s achievements to push women’s boxing at the global level. Last week she stood next to Karim Bouzidi, Executive Director AIBA, as a brand ambassador in a group photograph.

She was instrumental in popularising women’s boxing in Asian sub-continent and hence a source of revenue generation for AIBA through TV coverage.  Only in the second edition of women’s boxing in the Olympics, her absence will be a big loss to the sport.

Following her unexpected defeat, Editor Publications, Olympic Council of Asia, Jeremy Walker said

So sad for her, as she has worked so hard to build her career and family. First met her in 2009 at the Asian Indoor Games in Vietnam. She is a legend, with bronze from London.’

Jeremy Walker, Editor Publications- Olympic Council of Asia

MC Mary Kom with her husband in front of the newly built Mary Kom Boxing Academy.

The Fighter’s Future

Apart from commercial reasons Mary is media’s delight. A natural fighter in the ring and total entertainer outside, she is always a good copy for the media covering her competitions. Her trademark one-liners between bursts of giggles always make a colourful story.

On Saturday after her out however, she was `Mary quite contrary’.  She turned philosophical.

I gave my best effort after a lot of sacrifices. Winning and losing is a part of game. The decision hurts me but it is not in my hand. I just have to respect the judges decision with true sportsmanship

MC Mary Kom( after defeat to Azize Nimani of Germany)

She fought well against the German but unlike her usual self, she looked exhausted. She seemed hurt.

So, will Mary Kom now call it a day? Will she now concentrate on her `Boxing Foundation’ or plunge full time into politics? Whatever it is for her next, you can’t take boxing out of Mary’s blood.

Boxing is my passion and has made me something from nothing, so I feel it is worth promoting and making it even more attractive and I feel it is my responsibility to share that with the world because, by doing so, it could change the fate of someone, somewhere just like mine.

MC Mary Kom

What lies ahead, we will know on her return. But dont be surprised if the 33-year-old mother of three young sons announces she will carry on till the next Olympic Games in Tokyo in 2020!

What else can you expect from a Mohd Ali fan.

(The author is a sports journalist with a particular preference for any sport not involving a bat and a ball. Having previously covered five Olympic Games, he’s got his bags already packed for Rio 2016)