Mary Kom: 'I would've won a medal in Rio'

"If I went (to the Rio Olympics), then definitely I would have come with a medal," Mary Kom said at a felicitation programme accorded to her by the North Eastern Hill University.

Mary Kom said she missed participating in the Rio Olympics.

Indian boxing icon M. C. Mary Kom on Tuesday said she would have won a medal in Rio had she qualified for the Olympics.

"If I went (to the Rio Olympics), then definitely I would have come with a medal," Mary said at a felicitation programme accorded to her by the North Eastern Hill University (NEHU) here.

"Now, my profession (becoming a Parliamentarian) is different. I didn't dream to be in this profession, but I think God wants me to do something for the society. I will do good things not only for Manipur but for the entire country," she added.

NEHU, one of India's premier central universities, had conferred honourary Doctor of Letters degree to Kom for her outstanding contribution in the field of sports on March 29.

Mary failed to qualify for the Olympics after she faltered in the World Boxing Championships' second round in Astana, Kazakhstan.

"I really missed it (Olympics). It is very unfortunate for me that I did not qualify," she said.

The five-time world champion was also denied a wild card entry into the Olympics.

"Indian women boxers were "unlucky" as we had only two qualifying tournaments but men were luckier as there were many for them," the 33-year-old said.