MC Mary Kom Refuses to Shake Rival Nikhat Zareen's Hand after Winning Bout

Guwahati, December 28, 2019:

Manipur pride MC Mary Kom has created quite a few ripples after she refused to shake hands with fellow pugilist Nikhat Zareen at the end of a 51-kg bout that she won.

The two had traded barbs after Zareen had earlier challenged Mary Kom and questioned the selection process for the Olympics.

ALSO READ: Send Bangladeshis back to their Country: Tarun Gogoi Slams CAA & Detention Camps

Talking to mediapersons, MC Mary Kom told the media: "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."

Meanwhile, the video where Mary explains why she chose not to shake hands with Zareen is now doing the rounds with social media.

It may be mentioned here that the bad blood between Mary Kom and Zareen continued inside the ring as well, and Zareen later said that Mary had tried to intimidate her with "foul language." After Mary won with a split decision of 9-1, the Telangana's boxing association cried foul.

It may be mentioned here that after her win over Zareen, Mary Kom booked her berth in the Indian team for the 2020 Olympic qualifiers slated to be held in Wuhan, China, in February, 2020.

Also making the India squad for next year's Olympic qualifiers was Lovlina Borgohain from Assam, who beat Lalita in the 69kg final.

Support Inside Northeast (InsideNE), an independent media platform that focuses on Citizen-centric stories from Northeast India that are surprising, inspiring, cinematic and emotionally relevant.