Mary Kom confirms split from husband, dismisses affair claims in official statement

Mary Kom with husband Onler (Pic: Mary Kom Instagram)

Six-time World Champion boxer Mary Kom officially confirmed on Wednesday that she and her husband, Karung Onkholer, had legally divorced on December 20, 2023.

This announcement came through an official statement issued by her advocate amid mounting rumours and online speculation linking Kom to her business associate, Hitesh Choudhary. Kom dismissed these rumours, categorically denying any extramarital affair, clarifying that her separation from Onkholer had been mutual and that their divorce, finalised under KOM CUSTOMARY LAW, had been in the works for nearly two years.

The statement, which she also shared on her social media handles, read: "In light of these speculative and incorrect media reports, I wish to issue the following clarifications: Ms. M.C. Mary Kom and Mr. Onkholer (Onler) Kom are no longer married and they have finalised their divorce by mutual consent under KOM CUSTOMARY LAW on December 20, 2023, in the presence of both family members and leaders of the clan as the adjudicating authorities."

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Addressing the growing rumours, Kom also denied the allegations of any relationship with Choudhary or any involvement with the husband of another boxer. The statement emphatically rejected these claims, urging media platforms to refrain from further propagation of such baseless rumours: "The rumours regarding my client's relationship involvement with Mr. Hitesh Choudhary or being in a relationship with another boxer's husband, are categorically denied and should not be propagated by any media platform."

Kom also made a heartfelt appeal to the media, asking for respect and privacy during this difficult time. In a personal message, she emphasized the emotional challenges she has been enduring over the past two years, particularly regarding her separation, and requested her fans, friends, and well-wishers to grant her the space she needed: "Over the past two years, my client has been going through a deeply challenging time in her personal life, especially with her ex-husband. During this difficult hour, my client requests her friends, fans, and well-wishers to kindly give her the space and privacy she needs to navigate this difficult time."

The statement also included a stern warning to media outlets, outlining legal consequences for any continued defamation or privacy violations: "It is imperative that the media respects Mary Kom's privacy and personal space. One press conference at Manipur has already been done to this effect. Failure to comply with these requests will prompt legal action against those who violate this notice, including but not limited to claims of defamation both civil and criminal and breaches of privacy rights as per applicable laws."