"I Was Misquoted": Boxing Legend Mary Kom Says She Hasn't Retired Yet

Indian boxing great Mary Kom seemed to have dropped a bomb on the sporting spectrum as she spoke about retirement because of the 'age limit' at an event on Wednesday. Mary, one of India's most popular sportspersons, highlighted how age limit prevents her from participating in most events. However, the interpretation of her talk at the event, turned out to be exaggerated. In a chat with NDTV, Mary confirmed that she hasn't yet retired but is planning to. "I was misquoted, I am on the brink of taking retirement but haven't retired yet," the iconic boxer confirmed.

In a statement on Thursday, Mary further confirmed that she hasn't retired. 

She said: "Dear Friends from media, I haven't announced retirement yet and I have been misquoted. I will personally come in front of media whenever I want to announce it. I have gone through some media reports stating that I have announced retirement and this is not true. 

I was attending a school in event in Dibrugarh on 24 January 2024 wherein I was motivating children and I said “I still have hunger of achieving in sports but age limit in Olympics doesn't allow me to participate though i can carry on with my sport. I am still focusing on my fitness and whenever I will announce retirement I will inform everyone."

Earlier, on Wednesday, Mary was quoted as saying in an event: "I have the hunger still but unfortunately because of the age limit it is over I cannot compete in any competition. I want to play more but I am being forced to quit (due to the age limit). I have to retire. I have achieved everything in my life."

Mary is the first female boxer in boxing history to have captured six world titles. The five-time Asian champion was the first female boxer from India to take home a gold