India’s boxing icon MC Mary Kom and her ex-husband Karung Onkholer are embroiled in one of the messiest celebrity divorce battles in recent sports history. What began as financial fraud allegations from the six-time world champion has now spiraled into shocking counter-claims of extramarital affairs, property disputes, and bitter emotional recriminations that have captivated the nation.
Table of Contents
Mary Kom’s Divorce Drama: Key Facts
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Couple | Mary Kom & Karung Onkholer (also known as Onler) |
| Marriage Year | 2005 |
| Divorce Year | 2023 (customary divorce; court proceedings pending) |
| Children | 4 (Twin sons born 2007, son born 2013, adopted daughter 2018) |
| Mary’s Allegations | Financial fraud, property theft, loans taken without consent, lost crores |
| Onler’s Counter-Allegations | Affairs in 2013 (junior boxer) & 2017 (academy staff), relationship breakdown |
| Onler’s Current Status | Living in rented house in Delhi |
| Mary’s Achievements | Olympic bronze (2012), 8 World Championship medals (6 golds), Padma Vibhushan |
Mary Kom’s Initial Allegations: “I Lost Crores”
During a recent television appearance and public statements, Mary Kom revealed she had been financially devastated by her ex-husband. Her specific allegations included:
✅ Unauthorized Loans – Taking loans worth crores in her name without consent
✅ Property Mortgaging – Mortgaging properties she purchased with her hard-earned boxing income
✅ Asset Transfer – Transferring assets to himself during the marriage
✅ Financial Ignorance – Remaining unaware of her financial situation until discovering irregularities after an injury
Mary claimed she lost approximately ₹5 crore (Rs. 50 million) and land she had purchased with her own money. She stated she only discovered these alleged irregularities after suffering an injury, when she finally examined her financial records.
The boxing champion, honored with India’s highest civilian awards—Padma Shri (2006), Padma Bhushan (2013), and Padma Vibhushan (2020)—described feeling “broken” but unable to grieve due to her responsibilities.
Karung Onkholer’s Explosive Counter-Claims
In an exclusive interview with IANS, Onkholer vehemently denied all financial fraud allegations and dropped a bombshell: he accused Mary Kom of having not one, but two extramarital affairs during their marriage.
2013 Affair with Junior Boxer:
Onler claimed Mary Kom had an affair with a junior boxer in 2013, which caused serious family disputes. “Our families had a fight, and after that, we compromised,” he stated, suggesting the matter was resolved privately at the time.
2017 Affair with Academy Staff:
More seriously, he alleged that since 2017, Mary has been in a relationship with someone associated with the Mary Kom Boxing Academy. “I have their WhatsApp messages as proof. I have proof, with the name of the person with whom she was having an affair. I remained silent,” Onler told reporters.
He even alleged that despite being injured before the 2022 Commonwealth Games, Mary traveled to Mumbai to continue this relationship, claiming to possess documentary evidence.
Financial Fraud Allegations: “Check My Bank Account”
Onkholer categorically rejected Mary’s financial fraud claims:
“She said I stole ₹5 crore. My bank accounts can be checked. Bring proofs for all the claims, and prove if I have crores. Why are they blaming me for stealing money?”
He emphasized that despite being married for 18 years to one of India’s wealthiest sportswomen, he currently lives in a rented house in Delhi—hardly the lifestyle of someone who allegedly embezzled crores.
Regarding election-related loans Mary referenced, Onler clarified: “Money is being spent on elections. I borrowed money from my friends.” He challenged Mary to produce property documents if assets were indeed transferred to his name.
The Emotional Fallout: “Used and Thrown Out”
Beyond financial and infidelity accusations, Onkholer expressed deep hurt about being discarded after years of support:
“I can forgive her, but I’ll never forget what she has done to me. I’m like use and throw for her. Who planted the seeds of her academy? Who registered it? And now someone has become the chairman, whom I don’t want to name.”
He claimed he played a key role in establishing the Mary Kom Boxing Academy, only to be pushed out later. Regarding their children, he acknowledged Mary bears their education expenses but insisted he played an equally important role in raising them.
“My sons are in boarding school. Of course, she’s earning and paying the fees, but who has raised them? I want to visit my sons who are staying in a hostel. She said they’re her kids, but they’re my blood too.”
Personal Habits & Public Perception
Onkholer also addressed allegations about his personal habits, particularly alcohol consumption:
“She said I consumed alcohol. So has she. She’s had vodka and rum, and she’s also eaten ‘gutka’. But I never disclosed these things to the media, who blamed me for drinking. Okay, I drink during parties.”
He maintained that claims about his drinking were exaggerated and stressed that he never brought personal matters to the media—until now, when publicly accused of financial fraud.
Who Is Karung Onkholer?
Born in 1982, Karung Onkholer (also known as Onler) has a background as a football player and lawyer, holding a law degree from Delhi University. He met Mary Kom in the early 2000s when he helped her after she faced a personal setback en route to a boxing match in Delhi.
Their relationship blossomed, and they married in 2005. The couple had twin sons in 2007, another son in 2013, and adopted a daughter in 2018. Throughout Mary’s illustrious career—including her historic Olympic bronze at London 2012 and record-breaking six World Championship gold medals—Onkholer remained largely private, supporting from behind the scenes.
The Real Reason for Divorce?
According to Onkholer, the marriage breakdown wasn’t about money—it was about Mary wanting to pursue another relationship:
“She wanted to stay alone and have another relationship. We’re divorced. I don’t mind if she wants to have another husband. But don’t ever blame me. And if she’s to blame me, bring the proof; get the papers.”
He stated they received a customary divorce but haven’t yet gone to court, emphasizing he doesn’t want a legal battle because he loves his children.
Public Reactions: A Nation Divided
The controversy has divided public opinion:
Team Mary Kom: Supporters argue that successful women are often accused of infidelity when marriages fail, and Onkholer’s claims conveniently deflect from financial accountability.
Team Onkholer: Others point out that his modest lifestyle (rented house) contradicts accusations of embezzling crores, and question why Mary didn’t address financial issues during 18 years of marriage.
Neutral Observers: Many believe the truth lies somewhere in the middle, urging both parties to settle matters privately rather than airing dirty laundry in public.
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What Happens Next?
Both parties have made serious allegations requiring evidence:
- Mary must provide concrete proof of financial fraud, unauthorized loans, and property transfers
- Onkholer must substantiate his affair allegations with the WhatsApp messages and evidence he claims to possess
The case will likely move to formal court proceedings, where judges—not public opinion—will determine the truth. Meanwhile, their four children remain caught in the crossfire of this increasingly bitter public battle.
As India watches this divorce drama unfold, one thing is clear: even champions aren’t immune to the complexities and heartbreak of failed marriages. Whether financial fraud or emotional infidelity is to blame, both Mary Kom and Karung Onkholer deserve privacy and dignity as they navigate this painful chapter.
Stay updated on this developing story at technosports.co.in, your trusted source for sports news and celebrity updates!
FAQs
Q1: Have Mary Kom and Karung Onkholer officially divorced?
Yes, they obtained a customary divorce in 2023, but formal court proceedings are still pending. Onkholer stated he doesn’t want a court battle for the sake of their four children.
Q2: What proof does Karung Onkholer claim to have regarding Mary Kom’s alleged affairs?
Onkholer claims he possesses WhatsApp messages identifying individuals with whom Mary allegedly had relationships in 2013 (a junior boxer) and since 2017 (someone from her boxing academy).
