New Delhi: MC Mary Kom's ambition of participating in her second consecutive Olympics was virtually over on Saturday, when she crashed out of the women's world boxing championships.
Having gone to Kazakhstan with a hope of reaching at least the semi-finals and earning a ticket to Rio, the London Olympics bronze medallist could do little against her German opponent, Azize Nimani, and lost in the second round of the 51kg. This was the last Olympics qualifier for Mary Kom. All four semi-finalists from this meet will earn a quota place.
Mary Kom, however, still has an outside chance to receive a quota place. If China's Ren Cancan reaches the semi-finals along with Taiwan's Lin Yun Tin, then the Indian can go through. Cancan had already earned a quota place. So if she makes the semis, then that spot will go to Lin, who is next in line for an Asian quota. But if Lin too makes the semi-finals, then Cancan's berth will be up for grabs and Mary Kom will then get it.
"This is a blow to India's hopes in women's boxing in the Olympics," said a disappointed official of the Sports Authority of India (SAI). "A huge investment was made on Mary Kom under the TOP (Target Olympics Podium) Scheme. Like it happened in the case of Sushil Kumar, the plan for Mary Kom has also backfired. But then, you can never predict results in sport," he added.
Mary Kom has recently been nominated to the Rajya Sabha. The World Boxing Association (AIBA) has made her the ambassador of the world championships for her immense contribution to the game. The AIBA has given her the sobriquet "Magnificent Mary".
Now only one Indian woman boxer, Pooja Rani, remains in contention for an Olympic berth in the 75kg category. The other Indian, Sarita Devi lost to Victoria Torres of Mexico 0-3 in the 60kg.
The tournament is the final qualifying event for women boxers in the three Olympic Games categories - 51kg, 60kg and 75kg. The semi-finalists of all three categories will make the Rio event.
In the men's section, only one Indian, Shiva Thapa, has earned an Olympic berth in the 56kg.
Four years ago in London, India were represented by seven boxers in the men's section and Mary Kom in the women's category.
Though Mary Kom could claim that she remained slightly unlucky with the judges, her German opponent should get credit for winning the bout by a 2-0 margin because of her technical superiority.
While Mary Kom, a five-time world champion in the 48kg, fought with a lot of aggression, Nimani was ready to wait and score points whenever she had the opportunity. By the second round, it was evident that Mary Kom was on the back foot.
The Indian's worst fear came true when she lost a split decision.
"In hindsight, there could be lots of theories about how and why Mary Kom received a raw deal from the judges there," said a senior boxing official.
