Six-time world champion boxer MC Mary Kom has suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury and will require a reconstructive surgery, scans revealed on Saturday.
The veteran Indian boxer's bid to compete at the Birmingham Commonwealth Games ended in a heartbreak on Friday as she was forced to withdraw midway from the selection trials due to a knee injury.
Her treating doctor has suggested a reconstruction surgery as it's a "complete tear of ACL".
For now, the Olympic bronze medallist has been advised "ice application and knee support" and has also been prescribed medication, including pain killers.
The 39-year-old legend twisted her left knee in the first few minutes of her 48kg semifinal bout against Haryana's Nitu.
Nitu went onto win Saturday's final in the category and will now represent India at the 2022 Commonwealth Games later this summer. That also means Mary will miss the marquee event where she had become the first Indian woman boxer to claim a gold medal, in the last edition in 2018.
"It has never happened to me before and I am struggling to come to terms with it. It's devastating," Mary Kom told the New Indian Express about her injury.
While the odds and age may not be in her favour, the most decorated Indian boxer believes she is far from done with boxing and still has what it takes to make a comeback.
"I still feel I have one or two years of boxing left in me. I am sure I will get back to my old form. I am consulting specialists and after that we (my team) will draw up a plan for rehabilitation. I can fight my way out of this. I will make a comeback again," added a determined Mary Kom.
On Thursday, Mary Kom fell down in the very first round of the CWG qualification bout. She tried to keep going after receiving medical assistance but after a couple of punches, she struggled to keep balance as she clutched her left knee and looked in a lot of pain.
The Manipuri had to be carried out of the ring with Nitu being announced the winner via RSCI (Referee Stops Contest due to injury). The London Olympics bronze medallist, whose left knee was heavily bandaged after the fall, was then taken to the hospital for scans.
The multiple-time Asian gold medallist had last competed in the Tokyo Olympics, where she had reached the pre-quarters before bowing out with a hard-fought loss.
Mary Kom, the most decorated Indian boxer, had decided to give the World Championships, that concluded last month, and the now-postponed Asian Games a miss to concentrate on the CWG, which is to be held in Birmingham next month.
"It has never happened to me before and I am struggling to come to terms with it. It's devastating," Mary Kom told the New Indian Express.
While the odds and age may not be in her favour, the most decorated Indian boxer believes she is far from done with boxing and still has what it takes to make a comeback.
"I still feel I have one or two years of boxing left in me. I am sure I will get back to my old form. I am consulting specialists and after that we (my team) will draw up a plan for rehabilitation. I can fight my way out of this. I will make a comeback again," said a determined Mary Kom.
(With inputs from PTI)
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