Rio dream over for Mary Kom

Five-time world boxing champion M.C. Mary Kom Saturday saw her dream of qualifying for the Rio 2016 Olympics end after losing a crucial bout at the Aiba women’s world boxing championships.

Mary Kom, who claimed a bronze medal at the London 2012 Olympics, lost 0-2 to Germany’s Azize Nimani in the second round of the tournament in the 51kg weight category in Kazakhstan.

She needed to reach the semi-finals of the championship to qualify for her second successive appearance in Olympics.

Mary Kom took off aggressively against her German opponent, who kept her at bay by fighting from a distance. The Indian boxer continued to throw herself at Nimani who adopted defensive tactics to frustrate Mary Kom, with the German declared the winner.

Later, Asian Games bronze-medallist L. Sarita Devi (60kg) too was beaten 0-3 by Victoria Torres in the second round of the event, from where only the semi-finalists in the three Olympic categories would make the cut for the upcoming Rio Games.

The only Olympic hope left for India in the event is Pooja Rani (75kg), who is in the pre-quarter-finals.

“I gave my best effort after a lot of sacrifices. Winning and losing is a part of game. The decision hurts me but it is not in my hand. I just have to respect the judges decision with true sportsmanship,” Mary Kom said.

Mary Kom secured a spot at the 2012 London Olympics at the same tournament before taking a bronze medal for her country at the Games that year.

Nimani will now meet top seed Marzia Davide of Italy, who beat Hungary’s Katalin Ancsin in their second round fight.