Qualifying for Olympics is my main aim, says Mary Kom on skipping Asian Championships

Qualifying for Olympics is my main aim, says Mary Kom on skipping Asian Championships

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MC Mary Kom has said that her decision to skip the Asian Championships is taken with an aim to improve her chances of Olympic qualification for the 2020 Tokyo Games. Mary Kom will be competing in the 51kg category after her preferred 48kg divisions was unregistered by the Olympic programme.

Recently Mary Kom publicly announced her decision to withdraw from the upcoming Asian Championships citing the change in the Olympic boxing weight categories approved by the Olympic programme as the reason behind the move. The Asian Championship is scheduled to be held next month in Thailand.

Kom, who claimed her sixth world title last year in Delhi, will be looking to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics in the World Championships which will be held Yekaterinburg, Russia. 

“This year is very important for me. Qualifying for the Tokyo Olympics is my main aim. Without competing in any competition I cannot qualify for the Olympics. It would be difficult. I have to know all the opponents in my category (51kg) and judge how strong they are compared to me.

“I have to first compete in the India Open and then slowly choose my tournaments in the 51kg category. I am looking to qualify for the Olympics at the Worlds and that is why I have decided to skip the Asian Championships to prepare myself best for the Worlds. Without proper planning I cannot qualify for the Olympics. India Open is also very important for me. So I have decided to choose some important tournaments to qualify for the Olympics,” Mary, who recently signed with popular sports brand PUMA  told PTI sources.

The 2019 AIBA World Boxing Championships is scheduled to be held from September 7 to 21. The 20212 Olympic bronze medalist will now be competing in the 51kg category after her preferred 48kg divisions were altered by the Olympic programme. The Manipuri had competed in the 51kg category in Germany during a training trip earlier this month ended her stint without any losses.

“I have already been competing in the 51kg category in the last one year. I now know the areas where I will have to work upon but fitness wise there are no issues. I just have to work upon my strength, power and stamina.

“I am concentrating on my upcoming competitions. I have my own academy in Manipur. I have that passion for full-time coaching after retirement. If the Boxing Federation of India or the government need my services in improving the standards of Indian women’s boxing, I am always there,” Mary added.

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