Indian boxing star MC Mary Kom says her decision to skip the Asian Championships is part of a larger plan to enhance her chances of Olympic qualification at a time when the competition in her weight category has become significantly “difficult”.
Mary Kom, who claimed a record sixth world title last year in Delhi, will be looking to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the World Championships in Yekaterinburg, Russia.
The Asian Championship is scheduled to be held next month in Thailand.
“I have to first compete in the India Open and then slowly choose my tournaments in the 51kg category. I am looking to qualify for the Olympics at the Worlds and that is why I have decided to skip the Asian Championships to prepare myself best for the Worlds,” added the 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist.
The 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships will be held from 7 to 21 September.
Now 36, Mary Kom will be competing in the 51 kg category after her preferred 48 kg division did not make the Olympic programme. She had competed in the 51 kg category during a training stint in Germany earlier this month, and came back undefeated.
“I have already been competing in the 51kg category in the last one year. I now know the areas where I will have to work upon but fitness wise there are no issues. I just have to work upon my strength, power and stamina,” she said.
Asked about her plans after she decides to hang her gloves, the 36-year-old mother of three said she wants to give back to the sport which made her a household name.
“That is something which was always in my plans. But right now I am concentrating on my upcoming competitions.”
“If the Boxing Federation of India or the government need my services in improving the standards of Indian women's boxing, I am always there.”
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)