Mary Kom hints at retirement after Rio Olympics

Celebrated boxer MC Mary Kom on Thursday hinted that the Rio Olympics may be her swan song. The Manipuri pugilists admitted that it will be difficult for her to continue boxing after the 2016 Summer Games.

New Delhi: Celebrated boxer MC Mary Kom on Thursday hinted that the Rio Olympics may be her swan song. The Manipuri pugilist admitted that it will be difficult for her to continue boxing after the 2016 Summer Games.

"After Rio might be difficult (to continue)... maybe (it could be my last tournament),” the 31-year-old said during a function in Mumbai yesterday.

She also provided a low-down on the level of competitiveness in women's boxing today. "After being in professional boxing for six, seven years now the competition has increased. Earlier there weren't any challengers. This is because the sport is popular across the world."

During the media interaction, Mary Kom said that her main aim now is to qualify for the Olympics. The five-time world champion in two weight categories missed the current World Championships in South Korea due to the injury.

“My main aim right now is to qualify for the Olympics. My recovery will be over after my treatment. I worked very hard for the Asian Games for the past one year and that got me injured on my hamstring and back. It's a minor injury, so I will soon come back again and participate in major tournaments next year," she added.

In a glorious career, Mary Kom won unprecedented titles which include five world titles and four Asian titles, besides Olympiad and Asiad medals.