MC Mary Kom, who bowed out from the Tokyo Olympics after losing her quarterfinal bout in a rather shocking decision has slammed International Olympic Committee’s boxing task force for ‘poor judging’.
The task force is conducting the boxing competition at the Tokyo Olympics after the International Boxing Association (AIBA) was suspended by the IOC for alleged mismanagement and financial wrongdoing.
“I don’t know and understand this decision, what’s wrong with the task force? What’s wrong with the IOC?” a dejected Mary was quoted as saying by PTI.
She lost to Colombian Ingrit Valencia by 2-3 in the 51kg Flyweight category. Mary Kom lost the first round 1-4, but won the final two rounds 3-2.
“I was also a member of the task force. I was even giving them suggestions and supporting them in ensuring a clean competition. But what have they done with me?” she said.
The 38-year-old, multiple-time Asian champion who was eyeing her second Olympics medal after the bronze at 2012 London Games, said the loss did not sink in even after she had gone for her dope test.
“I was happy inside the ring, when I came out, I was happy because in my mind I knew I had won. When they took me for doping, I was still happy. Only when I saw the social media and my coach (Chhote Lal Yadav repeated it to me), it sunk in that I have lost,” she said.
“I had beaten this girl twice in the past. I couldn’t believe that her hand was raised by the referee. I swear, it hadn’t struck me that I lost, I was so sure,” she added.
The Indian trailed 1-4 in the opening round with four of the five judges scoring it 10-9 in favour of Valencia. In the next two rounds, Mary Kom got three of the five judges to rule in her favour but the overall scoreline was still in favour of Valencia.
The Manipuri needed a 4-1 verdict in the final round to swing the bout for her.
“The worst part is that there is no review or protest. Honestly, I am sure the world must have seen, this is too much what they have done,” she said.
