Picture Credit: Twitter
Indian boxer Mary Kom lost her Round of 16 match at the Tokyo Olympics today, ending her campaign. She was defeated by Colombia's Ingrit Loren Victoria Valencia 3-2 in the pre-quarters bout. Kom was seen in tears after this heartbreaking loss. However, she did try to hide her tears behind a wide smile while hugging and congratulating her opponent and reigning Olympic bronze medalist.
In a turn of events, Mary Kom broke down during an interview when she was asked about her loss at the Olympics. Mary Kom looked unsatisfied from the results of the match. She said that she can't believe what has happened and she doesn't think it was the right decision. She has also claimed that she won the last two rounds.
“I don't know what happened. I thought in the first round we were both trying to figure out a strategy and I won the next two,” said Mary on Sports Tak. It's worth noting that the Indian boxer raised her hand when the winner was announced.
Mary Kom's personal trainer and National assistant coach Chhote Lal Yadav also expressed his disappointment at the results of the game. “I don't understand this scoring system, how did she (Mary Kom) lose the first round 1-4 when there was hardly anything separating these two. It is a disappointment but that's luck I guess,” Chhote Lal told PTI.
Mary Kom thought she had won until she met the press
Mary Kom's defeat to Ingrit Valencia is not going down well with everyone. Kom herself was in disbelief and couldn't believe the results. In a latest update, it has been revealed that Mary Kom thought she had won. She was of the impression that she had won until she met the press.
"I couldn't even protest on the issue," Mary said, adding, "At the beginning of the Olympics itself we were told that no sort of protest would be entertained."
It will be interesting to see if there is any reaction from the Olympics association on this turn of events. Notably, any kind of political or religious protest from the medal podium has been barred by the International Olympic Committee.