The six-member Indian boxing contingent, which included two World Champions and two World Championship medallists, was expected to deliver but fell short of securing any medals at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Mary Kom, the first Indian woman to win a medal at the Olympics, was not able to participate in this edition due the age limit rule in Boxing as no one above the age of 40 is allowed to participate. The 41-year old revealed she ‘could not digest,’ the poor performance at the event. “I felt bad from the inside, there was no progress. The Paris Olympics was disappointing, all the boxers were washed out. I could not digest their performance and just kept thinking ‘agar mai jaati to’ (If I was there instead). I can still fight better than these girls, performance wise, but could not participate due to the age limit.”

“I am still training, still concerned about my fitness. I am confident that still no one could touch me for one or two rounds. That is the spirit. The current boxers don’t have confidence and you could see it. I felt pain as I kept thinking why is there an age limit on only boxing?I still have that hunger, my dream and Olympic goal is still aching,” said Mary during a special address at the second edition of the Indian Gaming Convention (IGC).

India won their first ever medal in Boxing when Vijender Singh secured a historic bronze medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympics followed by Mary’s Bronze Medal win in the Women’s Flyweight at the 2012 London Olympics.

Lovlina Borgohain’s bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, after the contingent did not secure a medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics, is the country’s third and most recent award in the sport at the Games.

Star Indian shooter Manu Bhaker, who won two medals at the Paris Olympics 2024, caught up with former Olympian and boxer Mary Kom recently. After bagging multiple bronze medals at Paris Olympics 2024, Manu is currently enjoying a break from shooting as she recovers from an injury. Taking to Instagram, Manu shared images of the interaction with Mary Kom, who also won a bronze in boxing at London Olympics 2012. In one of two images shared by Manu, the two can be seen sharing a hug. She also requested Mary Kom to plan a workout session with her.

“It was great catching up with you didi @mcmary.kom , and talking about the Olympics and more… Thank you for your wishes and blessings and let’s plan a workout session soon!” Manu captioned the post.

Meanwhile, Mary Kom, an eight time world champion, was initially slated to be India’s Chef-de-Mission before she had to step away due to personal commitments.

“I consider it an honour to serve my country in every way possible, and I was mentally prepared for it. However, I regret that I will not be able to uphold the prestigious responsibility and would like to resign, owing to personal reasons,” the 41-year-old stated in a letter to IOA President PT Usha.

“It is embarrassing to retreat from a commitment, which I seldom do, but I am left with no choice. I am there to cheer on my country and the athletes competing in this Olympic Games, with great expectations,” she added.

At Paris 2024, Manu won a bronze each in the women’s 10m air pistol and 10m air pistol mixed team event — where she had paired with Sarabjot Singh.

She also came close to winning a third bronze in 25m pistol before finishing a creditable fourth in Paris. No Indian athlete has won more than two individual medals at the Olympics.