The legendary career of Olympic medalist and six-time world champion Mary Kom is being overshadowed by an increasingly bitter and public fallout with her ex-husband, Karung Onkholer Kom (Onler). What began as a private separation has spiraled into a war of words involving allegations of financial fraud, domestic negligence, and broken trust.
The feud has even spilled into the wider sporting community, drawing a sharp and later deleted critique from former Indian cricketer Manoj Tiwary.
Mary Kom: “I Was the Sole Breadwinner”
In a recent interview with India TV, Mary Kom leveled serious allegations against Onler, claiming he contributed nothing financially to the household during their 18-year marriage. According to the “Magnificent Mary,” she was the one working “hard in the ring” while her husband remained idle.
- Financial Allegations: Mary claimed she discovered her bank accounts were “nearly empty” and accused Onler of siphoning off crores of rupees, taking unauthorized loans, and mortgaging her properties.
- The “Sacrifice” Debate: Dismissing the idea that Onler gave up his career for her, Mary stated, “What successful career? He used to play football in the streets… He was not even earning a rupee. He used to sleep the whole day.”
Onler’s Rebuttal: “I Lived Like Her Slave for Love”
Responding to the claims via Hindustan Times, Onler painted a starkly different picture of their domestic life. He maintains that he intentionally stepped back from his own aspirations—including UPSC exam preparation and a football contract with Shillong’s Excise and Customs department—to support Mary’s boxing dreams.
- Reversed Gender Roles: Onler emphasized that he took on the role of primary caregiver for their children. “I raised the kids. I bathed them, fed them, took them to coaching… I was her driver, I was her cook,” he stated, adding that he viewed his role not as a “sacrifice” but as a partnership.
- The Financial Dare: Challenging Mary’s claims of theft, Onler pointed to his current lifestyle as proof of his innocence. He revealed he is currently living in a rented accommodation in Delhi for ₹16,000 a month and dared her to check his tax records. “I have no assets in my name… She has several movable and immovable assets. She earned those and I supported her.”
The dispute also touches on Onler’s failed foray into politics. While Mary suggested he drained her wealth to contest elections, Onler claims it was Mary who pushed him into the political arena as her own term as a Rajya Sabha MP was coming to an end in 2016.
Cricketer Manoj Tiwary Weighs In
The public nature of the spat caught the attention of former cricketer Manoj Tiwary, who posted a scathing critique on X (formerly Twitter).
“Sorry, Mary Kom, the nation expected a better human being in you. I feel sorry for her ex-husband! This is a shame!”
Tiwary deleted the post within hours, but not before it went viral, sparking a national debate on whether the public should take sides in a “he-said, she-said” domestic dispute involving a national icon.
Current Status
The couple is now divorced via a customary court. While Onler states he has no objection to the divorce or Mary moving on, he has called her comments “rude and disrespectful,” asking her not to discredit the 20 years he spent supporting her rise to global stardom.
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