New Delhi: India’s most decorated boxer and six-time World champion MC Mary Kom’s dream of participating in this year’s Commonwealth Games was shattered Friday, June 10. The veteran, during the CWG trials being held in New Delhi’s Indira Gandhi International Stadium, was forced to withdraw in the first round itself midway through the 48kg bout against Haryana’s Nitu after suffering a leg injury, PTI reported. The unfortunate injury forced Mary, 2018 CWG gold medalist, to withdraw herself from the bout, and get ruled out of CWG 2022. The Commonwealth Games are to be held in Birmingham in July-August, this year.
Even after sustaining the injury, 39-year-old Mary Kom tried getting up to compete but after being hit with a couple of punches, she lost her balance again and sat down holding her left leg. She was ultimately forced then had to leave the ring after which the match referee declared Neetu the winner. The injury is quite heart-breaking for Mary Kom as she withdrew from the World Championship and Asian Games to focus on next month’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.
Talking about MC Mary Kom’s glorious boxing career, she has so far won a single gold medal in the Commonwealth Games. The legendary boxer has won 8 medals, including six gold, one silver, and one bronze medal in the World Championship. She has also won a gold and a bronze medal in the Asian Games.
Athletes from about 72 countries will participate in the Birmingham Commonwealth Games to be held from 28 July to 8 August. The Games are being organized for the third time in England. Earlier, games have been organized in London in 1934 and in Manchester in 2002.