Nikhat Zareen Confident Despite Potentially Tough Draw at Maiden Olympics
New Delhi: Two-time world champion Nikhat Zareen remains unfazed by the prospect of facing formidable opponents early in her first Olympic Games, expressing confidence that she thrives under challenging conditions.
The 27-year-old boxer secured her place at the Paris Games in the 50 kg weight class during the Asian Games last October.
“There are no seedings or rankings at the Olympics; it’s all about luck. I don’t know whom I’ll face in the initial rounds,” Zareen said during an interaction organized by SAI in collaboration with IOA and BFI.
Having moved from 52kg to 50kg, Zareen won her second World Championships title last year in New Delhi without being seeded. “Seeding isn’t crucial because many seeded boxers don’t win medals. I’ve noticed that I perform better when faced with a tough draw,” she added.
Since qualifying for the Olympics, Zareen has participated in several tournaments, winning a silver medal at the Strandja Memorial tournament earlier this year and securing victory at the Elorda Cup in May.
While content with her preparations, Zareen admitted to feeling nervous, which she considers beneficial. “As the days pass, I’m getting nervous. This feeling helps me focus and perform better. Plus, this is my first Olympics,” she explained.
Reflecting on her performance at the Asian Games, where she won a bronze medal but lost a close semifinal bout to Thailand’s Chuthamat Raksat after a slow start, Zareen acknowledged the experience as a learning opportunity. “In the Asian Games, I wasn’t aggressive enough in the first round, leading to a split decision loss. I’ve learned from that experience.”
With the Olympics approaching next month, Zareen is prioritizing her mental fitness and staying injury-free.
Discussing the changes in her life over the past few years, Zareen remarked, “I never imagined that the girl once known as a challenger to MC Mary Kom would become the face of Indian boxing. It’s a significant achievement for me. I feel blessed and grateful to have realized my dream of becoming a world champion. But my journey isn’t over; my ultimate dream is to win an Olympic medal.”
