Tokyo: Six-time world champion Indian boxer Mary Kom lashed out at the boxing officials Mary after Colombian Ingrit Valencia was declared the winner in their Tokyo Olympics women’s 51kg pre-quarterfinal bout on Thursday. Valencia was declared the winner by points 3-2 ending Mary Kom’s quest for an elusive Olympics gold.
“I still can’t believe it (about the loss). I don’t know what’s happening with me. I am really sad after this result and ask for forgiveness from all my country people. I still can’t believe how come the decision went against me. Everybody knows who won,” Mary Kom told Xtratime just after her bout, with tears rolling out of her eyes.
The 2012 London Olympics bronze medallist started on a slower note before taking her grip in the second and third rounds. However, much to her amazement, the referee held aloft Valencia’s hand declaring her the winner.
“I don’t know and understand this decision, what’s wrong with the Task Force? What’s wrong with the IOC?” Mary Kom told PTI. “I was also a member of the Task Force. I was even giving them suggestions and supporting them in ensuring a clean competition. But what have they done with me?” she asked.
Mary Kom went into the changing room knowing she had entered the quarterfinals. “I thought I was winning the fight. Then I saw Kiren Rijiju’s tweet on social media about my defeat, I was shocked and upset after that. I don’t know what to say, I can’t believe a decision like this was made,” she said.
“I was happy inside the ring, when I came out, I was happy because in my mind I knew I had won. When they took me for doping, I was still happy. Only when I saw the social media and my coach (Chhote Lal Yadav repeated it to me), it sunk in that I have lost,” added the mother of four.
So unlucky for @MangteC She won round 2 and round 3 and yet lost the bout. Just heartbroken 😢 pic.twitter.com/PhJ2mKgwPg
— Viren Rasquinha (@virenrasquinha) July 29, 2021
“I had beaten this girl twice in the past. I couldn’t believe that her hand was raised by the referee. I swear, it hadn’t struck me that I lost, I was so sure. The worst part is that there is no review or protest. I should have got the second round unanimously, how was it 3-2? What happened was totally unpredictable,” she reasoned.
While many say this was Mary Kom’s last Olympics, the 38-year-old didn’t clarify the issue. India could win three medals in boxing after Lovlina Borgohain (women’s 69kg), Pooja Rani (women’s 75kg) and Satish Kumar (men’s 91kg) – all made it to the quarterfinals and are one win away from assuring themselves a medal.
