Younger boxers need TOPS support, not me: Olympic medallist Mary Kom

India’s legendary boxer MC Mary Kom, who underwent knee surgery last month, has asked the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) to exclude her from the list of beneficiaries in the government’s Target Olympics Podium Scheme (TOPS) programme.

The TOPS is the Indian sports ministry’s flagship scheme aimed at identifying potential Olympic medal winners and helping them through financial and infrastructural assistance. 

Mary Kom, 39, is a part of the TOPS core group, which also includes Tokyo 2020 bronze medallist Lovlina Borgohain. 

The TOPS development group, a similar programme for upcoming talents, includes a number of younger boxers like world champion Nikhat Zareen, Commonwealth Games 2022 gold medallist Nitu Ghanghas and CWG bronze winner Jaismine Lamboria.

Mary Kom won a bronze at the 2012 London Olympics to become the first Indian woman boxer to win an Olympic medal. She wrote on social media that she now wants someone younger to get the benefits of being in the core TOPS list. 

“I have had great support from the government over many years. But I think it is time to let a younger athlete get support to chase the Olympic dream. So, I request the Mission Olympic Cell (MOC) not to consider me for an extension in TOPS,” the Indian boxing ace said.

Mary Kom is the only female boxer in the world to have won six world championships in her career. The five-time Asian champion was also the first Indian female boxer to win a gold at the 2014 Asian Games. 

Mary Kom also won a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games 2018 in Gold Coast, Australia but could not defend her title at Birmingham after suffering a knee injury during the CWG trials in June this year.

Mary Kom’s last appearance on the international stage was at the Tokyo Olympics, where she reached the pre-quarters before losing to Ingrit Valencia of Colombia by a 3:2 split decision. Tokyo 2020 was Mary Kom’s final Olympics.