BENGALURU, June 7: Star Indian woman boxer MC Mary Kom today said she was keeping her fingers crossed for a wildcard entry into the upcoming Rio Olympics.
Mary Kom could not make the cut through qualifiers but the star boxer�s Olympic dream is not quite over as India has decided to seek a wildcard entry for her in the Rio Games, scheduled from August 5.
�I am having my fingers crossed and hoping for the best. It will be known by this month end,� she told reporters at the sidelines of a function to announce CP Foods foray into the packaged food business in Indian market here.
Mary Kom (51kg) had missed out on qualifying for the Rio Games after bowing out in the second round of last month�s World Championships � the second and final qualifying event for women for the Olympics.
The London Olympics bronze medallist was required to make at least the semifinals to be assured of an Olympic berth in the mega-event in Astana, Kazakhstan.
�The Indian Olympic Association and ad-hoc committee (of boxing) are trying their best to get me a wild card. If I get it, I will be very happy. It is not in my hands. It is a fifty-fifty chance,� the 33-year-old boxer said.
Mary Kom said she was still doing her workouts earnestly and keeping herself in good stead.
�I am still doing my workouts earnestly, and still have high hopes. I am keeping up my physical fitness,� she said.
Asked what went wrong in the qualifying round of the World Championship, she said it was a tough and a close match.
�I gave my best, but still lost. It was a very tough match and a close fight,� she said.
Meanwhile, speaking about late Muhammad Ali, who passed away in the USA after a 32-year battle with Parkinson�s disease, the five-time World champion said she was inspired by the legendary boxer to take up boxing as a career.
�Like other boxers, I was also inspired by Muhammad Ali when I donned the gloves and opted boxing as my career. He is my hero and he will always remain so. All boxers and athletes miss him and it is a big loss to the world of sports,� said Mary Kom. � PTI
