Legendary Mary Kom crashes out of Tokyo 2020 after losing out to Columbia's Ingrit Valencia in a thriller

That's all from our side at Sportskeeda. This was a thrilling encounter, but the result was unfortunately against India.

Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Keep following Sportskeeda, and keep supporting team India.

This is Anurag Bansal signing off.
Until next time!

Nevertheless, champions never lose. They only come back stronger.
Will Mary Kom return to the Olympics again? Did we witness the champion's last Olympics appearance? We certainly hope not!

After what would be termed as nothing short of a stunning fight between the two champions, Columbia's Ingrit Valencia took the game home and will now proceed to the Quarterfinals.

Unfortunately, Mary Kom has crashed out of what is likely to be her final Olympics appearance.

Both boxers started off cautiously, but a sudden lapse of concentration by Mary Kom in the first round put Ingrit Valencia in the driver's seat. She landed a couple of extremely strong punches and took the first round to her name.

Even though Mary Kom fought back brilliantly and won the next two rounds, the margin of victory wasn't enough to take lead.

Only admiration and respect for @MangteC !
— Abhinav A. Bindra OLY (@Abhinav_Bindra) July 29, 2021

What have we done to deserve Mary Kom. Just such a beautiful reaction. #Olympics #Tokyo2020
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) July 29, 2021

गर्व है भारत की बेटी पर! शाबाश @MangteC🥊How graceful she was in defeat. She'll forever be an inspiration. #GOAT #Olympics #TokyoOlympics pic.twitter.com/li1rTkhbl0
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) July 29, 2021

Thank you Mary kom😍❤. You have always been the pride of INDIA🇮🇳. And you has,will and foever will be a living legend👑. We are so proud of you💪 thank you for everything that you have done😘 #Thankyoumarykom #Thankyoumary #Marykom #India #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/XGlH51YSZV
— Jes_Jessy (@JesJessy3) July 29, 2021

Mary Kom lost and the whole India felt the pain.#Olympics #MaryKom
— Asheem (@sarcasheem) July 29, 2021

6 times World Champion
5 times Asian Champion
19 Medals in her life
Mother for 3 childrens
Iron Lady
38years old
Aggression Remains same
Name is "MARY KOM " 🔥#MaryKom #Olympics #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/AhRlSqLn1s
— Pugazh VJ❤️VK (@pugazh98) July 25, 2021

#MaryKom may have lost but her plucky performance & graceful acceptance of defeat was heart-winning. And an education. This is the mettle & character that defines gr8 sportspersons. As a nation we owe Mary everlasting gratitude: for trail she’s blazed, legacy she leaves behind
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) July 29, 2021

#TeamIndia | #Tokyo2020 | #Boxing
Women's Fly Weight 48-51kg Round of 16 Results

Fast hands, Fast feet, Fire in the Ring
Mary bows out to Ingrit Valencia, who moves into the QFs. Absolutely brilliant fight by @MangteC #LegendForever #RukengeNahi #EkIndiaTeamIndia #Cheer4India pic.twitter.com/CB0iXa3JbF
— Team India (@WeAreTeamIndia) July 29, 2021

India still has a lot of positives to take from the day today.

It started with Manu Bhaker coming back strong after her previous defeats and moving to the next round in the 25m Pistol event.

The Men's Hockey team followed it up with some brilliance on the field against Argentina and progressed to the next round.

PV Sindhu then got into action and continued the cheer for India by storming her way into the Quarter Finals!

Atanu Das scripted history by defeating the 2012 Olympics Gold medalist in the round of 32. He will join his wife, Deepika Kumar in the round of 16 next.

At the Golf course, Anirban Lahri made India proud by securing 8th place in round 1 of the men's competition

And then it was India's flag bearer, Mary Kom who fought like a true champion.

In the end, it was probably that one strong punch by Valencia in Round 1 that made the difference between the two champions.

This is the Olympics. The biggest stage of them all. Every move, every punch, every second counts! Valencia did well to make good use of her chances today.

But don't lose heart just yet! India still has 3 boxers in the Quarterfinals and all 3 are worthy contenders for Gold.

With this, the legendary Indian boxer, Mary Kom crashes out of Tokyo 2020 in the Round of 16.

Remember: She's 38 years old, and this could well be her last Olympic games.

It was 3-2 and couldn't have been more tight!
An absolute thriller of a contest between two champion ladies of the sport. It was the Columbian, Ingrit Valencia who took it home in the end.

Final scorecard. Valencia wins by split decision.

Absolute brilliance by Mary Kom today irrespective of the result. She showed the world why she's a 6-time World Champion!

Mary Kom gives a wide smile and hugs her opponent. The 38-year old champion has certainly given it her all today!

Valencia it is!

Mary Kom takes round 3, but her overall score falls just 1 short of her opponent.

There's the bell. Who takes it? Mary? Valencia?

This is tight!

Both the pugilists are going all out now. Who will emerge?

Last 1 minute

Stay glued as this fight is still very much on! Absolutely thrilling!

What a fight! Two former Bronze medalists giving it their all in this legendary clash.

It's now down to the decider. Round 3 begins!

MARY KOM it is!!

An extremely close bout, but Mary Kom has it to her name!

Last 10 seconds to go. Who will prevail?

Looks evenly poised at the moment. 30 seconds to go.

Mary Kom is giving it her all. Agile movements, fast hands, and strong punches!

This fight is certainly going down to the wire!

Neither of the two refuses to slow down or give up.

Round 2 begins. Will Mary bounce back?

Ingrit Valencia tales Round 1!

4 judges rule in favour of Valencia, one in favour of Mary Kom.
Stats at the end of Round 1

30 seconds to go. Mary Kom is fighting back strongly!

Mary Kom takes a strong hit from Valencia! Ouch!

Mary Kom seems extremely confident with her moves. She's acting fluidly.

Both boxers start slow. They're being very cautious with their moves.
There's a lot at stake for the 2 champions today.

The stage is set, helmets are on. Adrenaline is high!
Round 1 begins!

6-time World Champion and London 2012 Bronze medalist, Mary Kom walks in to a round of applause!

Ingrit Valencia walks in. She's in red!
Mary Kom will be in Blue.

The previous bout has ended. Mary Kom time!

It's the Indian boxing legend who will enter the ring now. Will she be able to deliver?

There seems to be a slight delay as the previous bout is still going on. But don't go anywhere. Mary Kom will be in action in under 3 minutes from now!

India has performed exceedingly well in Boxing thus far. Lovlina Borgohain, Pooja Rani, and Satish Kumar are only 1 win each from securing a medal for the nation.
Mary Kom will join the list if she wins today's bout!

About 15 minutes to go!

Mary Kom is only 2 victories away from assuring herself of a medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

#TokyoOlympics2020 #Cheer4India
Indian boxing megastar MC Mary Kom to take on Ingrit Valencia at Tokyo Olympics 2020 today in the Women's flyweight category, from 3.30 PM onwards.
Last time the two met, Mary defeated Valencia.#Tokyo2020 #TokyoOlympics #MaryKom pic.twitter.com/CvB7MSVzOg
— One Dojo (@one_dojo) July 29, 2021