Six-time world champion Mary Kom booked a spot in the Indian boxing team for the Olympic qualifiers but she refused to shake hands with her opponent Nikhat Zareen after the win
New Delhi: Indian boxing star MC Mary Kom was angry and refused to shake hands with her opponent Nikhat Zareen after defeating her compatriot in the trials for the Olympic qualifiers on Saturday (December 28).
Six-time world champion Mary won the 51 kg category bout 9-1 to book a berth in the Indian squad for the Olympic qualifiers in China. The bout had gained huge amount of interest after Nikhat had demanded a fair trial to make the cut for Tokyo 2020 Olympics qualifiers.
Also read: Mary Kom's advice to women
The 36-year-old Mary, who won bronze medal at 2012 London Olympics, was angry and after the win in Delhi and did not shake hands with her opponent. “Why should I shake hands with her? If she wants others to respect her then she should first respect others. I don't like people with such nature. Just prove your point inside the ring, not outside,” she said.
Mary Kom defeated Nikhat Zareen to book her spot in the Olympic qualifiers.
She doesn't shake Zareen's hand after the fight 😬😬pic.twitter.com/BiVAw9PCSd
“I was a bit angry. There is no doubt. But it's all done now. I have moved on. All I say is that talk once you perform not before that. Everyone can see what you do in the ring,” Mary told news agency PTI.
The 23-year-old Nikhat, who is a former junior world champion, said she was hurt by Mary’s behaviour. “I am hurt by how she behaved. She used some foul language inside the ring too, but it's okay. I am a junior, it would have been nice for her to just exchange a hug once it was over. But I don't want to comment any further,” she said.
The bout also saw words being exchanged between the two boxers, outside the ring.
Mary Kom on not shaking hands with Nikhat Zareen after the bout: Why should I shake hands with her? If she want others to respect her then she should first respect others. I don't like people with such nature.Just prove your point inside the ring,not outside. https://t.co/TERXuRECMh pic.twitter.com/vwqSvSmgN3
— ANI (@ANI)Olympic qualifiers will be held in China from February 3 to 15, 2020.
Nikhat Zareen: I did not like how she (Mary Kom) behaved with me, because when the decision was announced and I tried to hug her, she did not hug me back. Being a junior I expect from seniors that they respect juniors too, so I felt hurt. https://t.co/ebEfeEsk5H pic.twitter.com/RJOJuRmYyW
— ANI (@ANI)MC Mary Kom (51kg), Sakshi Chaudhary (57kg), Simranjit Kaur (60kg), Lovlina Borgohain (69kg) and Pooja Rani (75kg).