Picture Credit: Getty Images
It was indeed quite a dramatic and controversial day at Tokyo Olympics 2020 for Indian boxer Mary Kom. The 38-year-old put up a brilliant performance against Colombia's Ingrit Valencia in her Round of 16 clash and looked on course of securing quarter-finals berth. However, the judges ruled the decision 3:2 in favour of her opponent and Mary Kom was knocked out of the event in a controversial manner.
Although the entire nation was proud of Mary's performance on Thursday, there was something uncanny about her jersey which caught everyone's attention. The jersey of the boxer neither had her name on it nor had the symbol of Indian flag. While playing in the blue corner, it was quite an odd sight for everyone to see Mary Kom playing the match with a rather blank jersey.
Mary Kom was forced to change her jersey before the match
As per the reports, Mary Kom was asked to change her jersey right before her Round of 16 bout. She was ready for the bout wearing the blue Indian jersey which had 'Mary Kom' written on it. However, the organizers forced her to change it as they stated that only the first name of the boxer can be written on the same. With everything happening at the last moment, the Indian boxer had no option but to get into the ring wearing a blank jersey.
It must be noted that Mary Kom played her Round of 32 clash in the red Indian jersey with her full name written behind her back. No one had pointed the issue out to her during that match, which makes the decision of organizers on Thursday slightly baffling to understand.
It is the worst organized Olympics ever: Mary Kom
From their actions ahead of clash to the decisions during the match, the 38-year-old was clearly unhappy with the whole management at Tokyo Olympics 2020. Reflecting her frustration on the same, Mary said, "I think it is the worst organized Olympics ever. There is a lot of stuff happening inside but we were somehow manage despite everything.'"
She also added that the organizers have clearly stated that they would not be entertaining any protest appeals from anyone and hence the result would not be overturned despite the Indian camp believing that Mary had won the match.
