Mary Kom: 'I want to retire after Tokyo Olympics'

“After 2020, I want to retire. So my main mission is to get a gold for India. I really really want to win ( gold),” Mary Kom said. Mary Kom will compete in the 51kg category.

Mary Kom, a six-time World champion, is hoping to compete in the 51kg category at Tokyo Olympics.

India’s boxing champion Mary Kom admitted that she wants to retire post the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Mary Kom, when asked about her future after the Oympics next year, replied “Maybe after 2020 I want to retire, I really want to give gold to the nation.”

The Indian boxer is a part of Colgate’s panel for their newly launched, Keep India Smiling Foundational Scholarship, which offers financial support and mentoring to people across India to help them translate their dreams into reality.

“I always try my best to give a medal to the country and if possible a gold. I will be starting my preparation for the Olympic qualifiers and the World Championship. I want to win a gold medal this time.”

The six-time world champion told Sportstar that along with the scholarship she wants to mentor the needful in the country for them to successfully pursue their dreams.

She said: “Obviously there is scholarship money but that’s not enough. People from humble backgrounds like me need guidance and mentors too, that’s how I want to support Colgate in their mission.”

Mary Kom agreed to the fact that a lot of effort was being put by various institutions in the nation in order to promote sporting culture, infrastructure and facilities but her goal was to move, touch and inspire people to keep smiling, citing happiness as the mantra to holistic success.

India’s first ever wheelchair-body builder Anand Arnold’s inspiring story was also played on the big screen. Anand, narrated with pride his journey from being Mr. Punjab in 2013 to Mr. Olympia in 2018.

The scholarship program has been launched in partnership with ShikshaDaan Foundation, a non-profit organization that specializes in providing education and development to the underprivileged and Buddy4Study, India’s largest scholarship platform.