In yet another instance of star power prevailing over a national federation, the Boxing Federation of India decided to not hold the trials in the 51kg category. Six-time world champion MC Mary Kom and Lovlina Borghoin were selected to represent India at the 2019 Women’s World Boxing Championships without having to appear at the trials.

BFI’s decision ended any hopes of Nikhat Zareen and Vanlal Duati of challenging Mary in the 51kg category and earning a ticket for the October 3-13 tournament to be held in Ulan-Ude, Russia.

As per BFI, both Mary, who has jumped from 48kg to 51kg, and Lovlina deserved a direct selection because they have been consistent. “Her consistency in a new weight category and gold medal-winning efforts at the Round Robin Cup in Germany, India Open and President’s Cup in Indonesia were the consideration point for the selection committee to arrive to the decixsion,” a BFI official said.

But a careful look at what transpired in the last four days lays BFI’s insistence bare that the decision was taken after carefully considering Mary’s performances. And it leaves no doubt that the Ajay Singh-led federation bowed to the ‘demands’ of its star boxer. BFI had informed all the boxers of its plan to hold the trials well in advance. On the morning of August 3, the BFI selection committee, in consultation with the coaches, made the draw and bout schedule and put it on the notice board for everyone’s perusal.

But an email from Mary’s corner the same afternoon informed BFI officials that she would not appear for the trials. This threat was a bolt from the blue for BFI, and everyone, including president Ajay Singh and foreign coach Raffaele Bergamasco, then went into firefighting mode and tried hard to talk Mary out in the hope that the trials could be held as per the schedule. But Mary dug her heels in. Her coach Chhotelal Yadav had contended that in the light of her beating Nikhat in the semifinals and Vanlal in the final of the India Open, besides her winning a gold medal in the President’s Cup, Mary should be exempted from the trials.