It was heartbreak for the six-time world champion M C Mary Kom (51kg), who's pursuit of a clinching a second Olympic medal came to an end in the ongoing campaign in Tokyo. The 38-year-old puglist, who is making her final appearance at the Games, went down to 2016 edition's bronze-medallist Ingrit Valencia in a fiercely-fought showdown on Thursday.


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The Colombian won the bout 3-2, via a split decision by the judges, but Mary's resilience throughout the three rounds was well appreciated by the Indians across the country. Many, which also included Manipur chief minister N Biren Singh, took to Twitter to hail the Indian legend for her valiant display in the ring.  


Here are a few tweets: 








Meanwhile, like Mary, 32-year-old Valencia is a trailblazer for her country. She is the first female boxer to have represented Colombia at the Olympic Games, as well as the nation's first female boxer to win an Olympic medal. 


- with PTI inputs