Boxing legend Mary Kom has spoken about what she calls the darkest phase of her life, marked by a painful divorce, financial setbacks and months of public slander. She said she finally decided to speak out after realising that her silence was being misunderstood.
“What’s the point of everything I achieved?” Mary Kom asked in an interview with PTI, reflecting on a period that left her emotionally shattered despite a career full of international accolades.
The six-time world champion and Olympic bronze medallist said her troubles began after she suffered an injury ahead of the 2022 Commonwealth Games. Bedridden for months and later forced to use a walker, she said the phase pushed her to confront truths she had ignored while she was actively competing.
“Things were fine as long as I was boxing and not involved much in my finances. But after the injury before the 2022 Commonwealth Games, I realised I was living in a lie,” she said.
Divorce and broken trust
Mary Kom said it was during this time that she lost trust in her husband, Karung Onkholer, whom she had been married to for more than 20 years. The couple separated over two years ago and formally divorced in 2023.
“I didn’t want to make it a public spectacle, which is why I chose divorce only after trying to resolve things privately,” she said, adding that both families were informed and initially understood her decision.
She said the situation spiralled when details of her personal life began circulating in the media and on social platforms.
“I’ve been called greedy by people who have no idea what I went through,” she said.
Mary Kom alleged that she was cheated out of crores of rupees and lost possession of land purchased with her own earnings. She claimed loans were taken against her properties and that land in Manipur was seized by local groups seeking recovery. Her husband, Karung Onkholer, has denied the allegations, according to the report.
Holding on for her children
The boxer said the most painful part of the episode was having her character questioned in public.
“What is the point of all my achievements? I’ve been left broken, and I can’t even grieve,” she said.
With four children and dependent parents, Mary Kom said she had no option but to pull herself together and keep going.
“I work for my children. God knows how hard it has been. But can you afford to stay down when you have kids?” she said.
She added that she does not want to take legal action and only wants the public slander to stop. Mary Kom said she is now rebuilding her finances through endorsements and public appearances, while continuing her role with the Athletes’ Commission of the Indian Olympic Association.
“But I fight on,” she said. “My life feels like one long boxing bout.”