India's celebrated woman boxer, MC Mary Kom failed to qualify for the upcoming Rio Olympics, after her loss to Germany's Azize Nimani in the AIBA Women's World Boxing Championships in Astana last month.
With it, Mary Kom's dream of winning a gold medal for India at the Olympics looked over, but she may get another chance to bring glory to India as the Indian boxing federation, as NDTV reports, is looking to appeal for a wildcard entry. However, that depends on whether the Amateur International Boxing Association will accept such a proposal.
The Indian boxer has been on of the best pugilists, winning five world championships so far, along with a gold medal at the 2014 Asian Games. Mary Kom, however, yet to win an Olympic gold. The veteran won a bronze at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, which disappointed her, as she had gold in mind. Her desire to stand top of the podium has only increased, but her participation in Rio is now up to the Amateur International Boxing Association.
As of now, India draws a sorry picture at the Rio Olympics in boxing. Besides Shiva Thapa in the bantamweight category, no other pugilist has qualified for the quadrennial event. One hopes that Mary Kom's wilcard entry will be accepted and she will become a major contender for India alongside Thapa.