Not ready to hang up her gloves: Remembering Mary Kom's finest Sporting Moments

Being denied a wildcard entry by the International Olympic Committee may have ended Mary Kom's Rio dream, but the five-time world champion is by no means ready to hang up her gloves yet. Even as questions about her retirement are being raised, Kom has laid all doubts to rest by this statement:

I am not quitting the sport right now

There is no doubt that Kom has been one of India’s finest athletes and just to remind ourselves of that, here are the boxer's top six 6 International Moments:

First accolade in her Maiden tournament:

Mary Kom wins silver in her debut tournament (Picture Credit: sportskeeda.com)

As an 18 year old, Kom made her mark in her very first tournament, winning a silver medal in the 46 Kg category at Pennsylvania, USA in 2001.  What's more, she went on to win a gold at the second AIBA World Women’s Senior Boxing championship in Turkey the next year.

Mary Kom’s First World Championship Gold Medal

Five-time Boxing World Champion - MC Mary Kom (Picture Credit: sportskeeda.com)

The fighter that she is, Kom then made sure she stepped right to the top of the podium in the 45 Kg category in the 2002 Antalya World Amateur Boxing Championships. She clinched her first Gold medal in her career and went on to pocket many more, including five in the World Championships.

 Earns the title"Magnificent Mary" 

"Magnificent” Mary Kom (Picture Credit: aneelanike.blogspot.com)

Her outstanding performances in the International Amateur Boxing Association in 2007 brought her into the limelight and she earned the nickname ‘Magnificent Mary’ after she won the 2008 Ningbo City World Championships.

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Asian Women's boxing Championships, Guwahati, 2008

Delivering the knockout punch: Mary Kom (Picture Credit: sportskeeda)

This one requires a special mention - a memorable win for Mary as she had returned to the ring after eight years. She had to be satisfied with a silver medal in the pinweight category, but it was a great return for the champion.

2012 Summer Olympics

Mary Kom wins bronze at the 2012 Summer Olympics (Picture Credit:  urbanasian.com)

She was the only Indian boxer to qualify for the 2012 Summer Olympics in London. And she didn't disappoint, winning the bronze medal in the flyweight (51 Kg) category.

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Mary Kom’s Asian Games Gold

Throwing her punches: Mary Kom (Picture Credit: sportskeeda)

Kom had won a bronze in the 2010 Asian Games which were held in Guangzhou. Her quest for an Asian Games Gold finally ended in 2014, with her winning top spot at the Games in Incheon, South Korea.

It is noteworthy that even after all the success, her hunger for achievement hasn't diminished. Also worth mentioning is the fact that she runs the MC Mary Kom boxing academy in Manipur, a female-only fight club in Imphal to teach girls defend themselves against sexual violence. A true champion she definitely is!

Feature Image Credit: thetraveltrunk.in