I would've returned from Rio with a medal: Mary Kom

Indian female boxing icon M.C. Mary Kom on Tuesday said she would have returned home from Rio with a medal had she qualified to compete in the Rio Olympics.

"If I went (to the Rio Olympics), then definitely I would have come with a medal," Mary said at a felicitation programme accorded to her by the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) here.

"Now, my profession (becoming a Parliamentarian) is different. I didn't dream to be in this profession, but I think God wants me to do something for the society. I will do good things not only for Manipur but for the entire country," she added.

NEHU, one of India's premier central universities, had conferred honourary Doctor of Letters degree to Kom for her outstanding contribution in the field of sports on March 29.

"I really missed it (Olympics). It is very unfortunate for me that I did not qualify," the nominated Rajya Sabha member said.

Mary failed to qualify for the Rio Olympics after she faltered in the World Boxing Championships' second round in Astana, Kazakhstan.

The five-time world champion was also denied a wild card entry into the Olympics that was requested by the Indian Olympic Association and the ad-hoc committee administering boxing in the country.

"Indian women boxers were "unlucky" as we had only two qualifying tournaments but men were luckier as there were many for them," the 33-year-old said.

--IANS

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