Asian Qualifying Tournament: MC Mary Kom fails to qualify for Rio Olympics after losing semi-final battle

New Delhi: Ace Indian pugilist, M C Mary Kom's hopes to qualify in the Rio Olympics through Asian Qualifying Tournament were dashed on Thursday as she lost to old foe Ren Cancan of China in the semifinals.

Losing semi-final battle means she has to satisfy herself with with a bronze.

And unluckily, in the women's category, only the gold and silver medal winners from this tournament will qualify for Rio Olympics.

But the London Olympics bronze-medallistist and five-time world champion, Mary, can take heart from the fact that she has another chance of qualifying for the Rio Games during the World Championships in May.

However, World Championships bronze-medallist Shiva Thapa (56kg) became the first Indian boxer to make the cut for this year's Olympics by entering the Asian Qualifying Tournament's final.