Kolkata: Olympic medallist MC Mary Kom yesterday said she would take around two months time to recover from the hamstring injury, that has kept her out of the Women's World Boxing Championship at Jeju, South Korea, to be held from November 13 to 25.
The injury has robbed Mary Kom a chance to win her sixth medal at the event. "I'm happy skipping the meet as I'm not fully fit. There's no point going there and return empty-handed.
I want to win a medal for the country in whatever competition I take part," the London Games 2012 bronze medallist told reporters on the sidelines of a felicitation programme here. On her recovery, she said: "I'm taking it slowly and hopefully I would return in two months time. My next target is to qualify for Rio Olympics in 2016."
Pinki Rani has replaced the injured Mary Kom, while Priyanka Choudhary came in for the suspended Sarita Dev in the 10-member Indian squad.
"Hopefully they would do well and return with medals," Mary Kom said.
The Manipuri flyweight boxer, who won a gold medal at the recently concluded Incheon Asian Games, further said she would become a full time coach after hanging her gloves. "I've an academy but I'm not able to devote full time.
However, I will give my 100 per cent and coach the upcoming boxers after retirement," she said. Mary Kom was felicitated along with three other Asian Games bronze medallists - Heena Sidhu (25m air pistol), Dipika Pallikal (squash), and HN Girisha (paralympic high jumper) - by their sponsors, Herbalife.
